To take stock of ground situation in Union Territory
A delegation of foreign diplomats from 24 countries on Wednesday arrived on a two-day visit to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to take stock of the ground situation and assess how democratic institutions at the grassroots level were working in the region after the revocation of its special station in August 2019.
On their arrival by a special flight in Srinagar, the delegation was accorded a red carpet welcome amid heightened security arrangements.
The Modi Government organised similar visits first in October 2019 and the second in January 2020.
Envoys of Chile, Brazil, Cuba, Bolivia, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, EU, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Bangladesh, Malawi, Eritrea, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Malaysia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are part of the visiting delegation.
Incidentally, parts of Srinagar witnessed shutdown even in the absence of any formal shutdown call by any group or political party.
Soon after their arrival in Srinagar the foreign diplomats visited Magam in the central Kashmir district of Budgam to witness “Block Diwas”, a public outreach initiative organised every week by the local administrations in Jammu & Kashmir.
At the venue they were briefed on Panchayati Raj and grievance redressal through “Back to villages” programme, when administration reaches the doorstep of people.
“The visit provided the envoys an opportunity to interact and hear from the public and their local level people’s representatives on functioning and empowerment of grassroot democratic institutions, devolution of power, developmental activities among others,” official sources present at the venue said.
DDC chairman, Budgam Nazir Ahmad Khan, who also interacted with the foreign diplomats said, “It’s been a month since we assumed our posts and we received the opportunity to interact with foreign delegation. We interacted about our development schemes, work done and work which remains to be done.”
Later, the diplomats attended a separate luncheon meeting with the elected district development council members, elected members of the urban local bodies and representatives of political parties.
The Mayor of Srinagar Municipal Corporation Junai Azim Mattu, who also attended the meeting, told reporters that the visiting dignitaries were apprised of the landmark elections of DDC and urban local bodies. “They wanted to know the ground realities. Elected representatives from all political opinions and parties participated,” he said.
The key issue discussed was decentralisation of power and planning and empowerment of the grassroots representatives. “I believe the most important thing happening now is the empowerment of local elected representatives at grassroots level,” he said.
The members of the delegation also visited the revered shrine of Hazratbal located on the banks of world famous Dal Lake.
The group of foreign envoys was received by the Imams of the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar and was briefed on its historical significance as the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad is preserved in the mosque. The delegation is scheduled to visit Jammu on Thursday. During their day-long visit they are expected to meet Lt-Gov Manoj Sinha, members of the civil society and others before returning to the national Capital.