Madan Lal Sharma Member Parliament Jammu Poonch Constituency while addressing huge public gathering at Nud Sambha demanded a special fund on the pattern of Border Area Development Programme in the shape of Kandi area Development Programme. Justifying the demand Mr. Sharma said that the livelihood of these areas totally depend upon rainfall and people face difficulties in earning their daily bread. He also said that Kandi belt also lack the proper road connectivity and other basic amenities and fulfils the criteria to be considered for a special fund/ programme. Mr. Sharma also appealed the State Govt. to clear the 73rd amendment in State Cabinet as early as possible to fulfil the long pending demand. He said that laid congress icon Sh. Rajiv Gandhi had a vision of transferring power at grass root level to ensure the participation and empowerment of down trodden and unheard sections of the society. Mr. Sharma said that Panchayats and local bodies are the democratic institutions run by the elected Sarpanches, Panches and members and they truly represent the masses. Their empowerment can bring a positive change in the mindset of the people in present scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. He also demanded that salary of Sarpanches and Panches should be enhanced on top priority as committed by the State Govt.
Mr. Sharma also called upon the people to derive benefit out of centrally sponsored schemes and inform that Govt. of India led by congress has opened the gates of treasures of Jammu and Kashmir and are providing huge money in the shape of NREGA, NRHM, SSA, Himayat, Udaan, etc. He called upon the Sarpanches and Panches to understand the schemes and ensure that basic benefit reach to the marginalized and downtrodden sections. Prominent among others who addressed the programme include Former Ministers S. Manjeet Singh, Smt. Swarn Kanta, Sarpanches Karan Singh, Shiv Ram, Raj Kumar, Babal Gupta, Hardev Singh, Srikant, Babu Ram, Kuldeep Raj.