Srinagar, May 19 (KNS): Former minister and ex-MLA Bandipora Usman Majid on Tuesday accused legislators of interfering in developmental planning under DDC, BDC and MGNREGA schemes in Bandipora, alleging that the process was undermining grassroots democracy and public participation.
In a statement, Majid alleged that works and priorities approved through Gram Sabha consultations under MGNREGA were later altered to suit political interests.
“The works proposed and approved by villagers during Gram Sabha meetings under MGNREGA are reportedly nowhere to be seen now. Instead, new works have allegedly been inserted and controlled through political interference,” he said.
Majid said Gram Sabhas remained an important democratic mechanism even though elections for Panchs, Sarpanchs and Block Development Councils (BDCs) had not been held yet.
“Gram Sabhas are not ornamental exercises. They are the backbone of participatory democracy in rural governance. Ignoring the decisions taken in these public meetings and replacing them with politically dictated projects is a direct insult to the people,” he said.
The former minister alleged that legislators had overstepped their role by interfering in local developmental planning that should emerge through public consultation and village-level consensus.
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“Roads, drains, irrigation links, sanitation projects, lanes and other essential works must reflect the genuine needs of the people. Development cannot be dictated from closed rooms by a handful of politically powerful individuals,” he said.
Majid further alleged that such interference weakens transparency and accountability in rural governance.
“When the voice of villagers is suppressed and Gram Sabha resolutions are altered or ignored, democracy itself becomes the casualty. This trend is dangerous for the future of grassroots governance in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He urged the administration to examine the manner in which DDC, BDC and MGNREGA-related works were processed in Bandipora and ensure that future planning strictly follows democratic norms and public participation.
“Grassroots democracy does not belong to legislators or political elites. It belongs to the people of villages. Their voice cannot be erased merely to satisfy political interests,” Majid said.
He also said he would continue to raise his voice against any attempt to undermine democratic processes and deprive villagers of their role in shaping development in their areas.(KNS).