Naidkhai: A large number of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) members from Naidkhai Block in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district staged a protest outside the Block Development Office on Wednesday, voicing strong disapproval over alleged manipulation of the approved Gram Sabha list.
The protesting PRI representatives accused local officials of revising the development list without consulting the community, thereby undermining democratic norms and allegedly favouring select individuals for personal and political advantage.
Carrying placards and raising slogans, the aggrieved members demanded immediate corrective action, accountability, and transparency from the concerned authorities. “The original Gram Sabha list was passed after due consultation with the community. But now, a new list has emerged overnight, without any participation or justification. This reeks of corruption and political favoritism,” said one protesting member.
The demonstrators called for the scrapping of the newly issued list and reinstatement of the original one, emphasizing that only a transparent and community-driven process could ensure equitable development.
They appealed to senior officials at the district and divisional levels to intervene, investigate the matter thoroughly, and hold those responsible accountable. The protestors also cautioned that if their grievances are not addressed within a reasonable timeframe, they would be forced to escalate their agitation.
Despite repeated attempts from the news agency Kashmir News Trust, the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Naidkhai remained unavailable for comment. He was not present at his office during the protest, and phone calls to his official number went unanswered. [KNT]
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