Ibni Maqbool
Srinagar: For the first time in the history of Jammu & Kashmir, chairpersons of District Development Councils (DDCs) will take salute at all district headquarters, excluding Srinagar and Jammu, on the occasion of Independence Day.
In a letter, a copy of which is lying with The Precious Kashmir, the General Administration Department (GAD) has communicated to both the divisional commissioners that DDC chairpersons shall preside over I-day functions at district headquarters and take salute there.
The DDC elections were held in November – December last year by UT administration after Central government amended “The J&K Panchayat Raj Act-1989 under The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019.”
Subsequently, in February this year, the DDC members elected chairpersons and vice-chairpersons in all 20 districts of the UT.
According to the GAD communiqué, J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha shall preside over the main function and take salute on the Independence Day function, at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket stadium, Srinagar.
“Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, advisor to Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor shall preside over the main function and take salute at Maulana Azad Stadium, Jammu,” reads the communiqué.
The letter further added that other advisors, Mayors of both capital cities and DDC chairpersons of Jammu and Srinagar, shall attend the main function in their respective cities.
According to the letter, Block Development Council chairpersons and President Municipal councils/committees shall take salute at their respective block headquarters and respective municipal headquarters.
