No Development Possible Unless DDC's are empowered : Aftab Malik, Chairman DDC Srinagar

 No Development Possible Unless DDC's are Empowered' : Aftab Malik, Chairman DDC Srinagar

In this free-wheeling interview, first ever Chairman DDC, Srinagar, Aftab Malik speaks to Mirror of Kashmir's Rameez Makhdoomi on a range of issues and the acute problems he and his counterparts in other districts have to face due to lack of cooperation from bureaucracy, and lack of disbursement powers. Malik is optimistic about the future of DDC's but believes they need to be given powers so that they can deliver.

Q: What are your current powers as District Development Council Chairman?

We submit plans for development ranging from roads to health care and in nutshell all public welfare works. Each District Development Council (DDC) constituency gets RS ,72 lac development fund per year, we made fervent appeals to the government to at least give us liberty of spending 25 lac in our respective areas but till the date ours pleas fell into the deaf ears, stating that there is no such procedure. We are hopeful that in future we will empowered. 

Q: Recently a prominent national daily quoted you as saying that DDC institution in Jammu and Kashmir is mere rubber stamp, your take?

I was misquoted there basically what I meant that the powers we were promised are not given to us and we are being given very less powers. The money we get for development even on that we don't have drawing and disbursing powers and have to just give plans.

Q: What is the remuneration you get as DDC Chairman?

One has to remember that DDC elections were conducted just after abrogation of Article 370 when the faith of masses on democratic process was lowest but despite that we were able to galvanize huge voter turnout. The DDC Chairman is par with MOS in terms of allowance, security and other miscellaneous things, however, we get very unimpressive remuneration. The DDC Chairman gets Rs 35000 salary and the DDC members a meager amount of Rs 1500 plus no vehicle or travel allowance. 

Q: Are you looking a doomed future of DDC especially once we get elected MLAs ?

No, I see a good future of DDCs in a place like Jammu and Kashmir. The DDC members along with MLAs can help in speeding democratic process. The DDC is a bridge between the ruling regime and has a special role in development of rural areas which makes its future look bright. 

Q: So where does the disappointment lie?

To be honest enough the top officials are highly responsive to us but the real issue has been lethargic and stubborn attitude of Rural Development Department. For a place like Srinagar whose DDC Chairman I am, the Rural Development Department has a primary role in making DDC functional since we deal with just rural areas. So far the rural development department has been found wanting and failing in its role.

Q: Your take on DDC future?

I believe despite doom and gloom the future of DDC is much bright and things are constantly improving. People have huge number of issues and they pin a lot of hopes on us as DDC. DDC is an evolving institution.

Q: What future do you see of APNI Party?

APNI Party has a very bright future as more and more people across all walks of life are joining the APNI Party and we will certainly be a prominent political force to reckon with in upcoming Assembly elections.

Q: Are you planning to participate in Assembly Elections? 

First of all we all have to wait for  the Delimitation report, only after the elections are supposed, so far my participation is concerned this will be decided by visionary party President Altaf Bukhari .