Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha has decided to meet the protesting DDC members after they blamed the bureaucracy for trying to curtail their powers by issuing the warrant of precedence for their protocol and perks.
The protesting DDC members told the media on Wednesday that they have called off their two day protest as the Lt. Governor has decided to intervene and meet them on Friday.
However, DDC members said that they have only deferred the protests and they will wait for the outcome of the meeting with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha. Meanwhile mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir including J&K BJP unit have provided their support to the protesting DDC members and have asked the government to give them all the promised powers.
JK Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari on Wednesday said the protocol powers and honorarium announced for the elected District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons and its members has “exposed the mindset of bureaucratic set-up that has never wanted democracy to flourish in Jammu and Kashmir for its ulterior motives”.
It is in place to mention that the warrant of precedence issued by the JK administration, places DDC chairpersons on the same level as administrative secretaries and inspector-generals of police. Their deputies will have to follow the protocol that is followed by vice-chancellors of universities. The councilors, who have been placed at the bottom of the hierarchy, will have to follow the same protocol that is followed by block development council chairpersons, presidents of municipal councils.
According to the warrant, the chairperson of DDC will be provided with a remuneration of Rs 35,000 per month while vice-chairpersons and councilors will receive Rs 25,000 and Rs 15,000 per month, respectively, says the government order.
The protesting DDC members are demanding cabinet rank status for the Chairpersons and MoS rank for the Deputy Chairpersons besides asking for higher perks and security.