J&K: 7 Months After ULB Polls, Municipal Councillors Yet to Receive Salaries

In May 2018, Sofi Arafat, former youth associate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) left the party owing to a disagreement with the party on a degree college in Aishmuqam. But few months later, when mainstream parties boycotted Urban Local Body (ULB) polls, Arafat found way to fulfil his dream of a degree college. He contested in the ULB polls from Aishmuqam of Pahalgam, South Kashmir and was elected as a councillor. But since last 7 months, Arafat has been worried about his sustenance as he hasn’t received salary since he got elected. Speaking to NewsClick, Arafat said, “I didn’t receive salary even once for the past seven months. I approached the Governor too, but there was no response. We are not even provided accommodation. Earlier, we were asked to stay in a hotel in Srinagar. Now, they said they will give us a room on sharing basis. How can we share room with anyone who we don't know?"

This is not only the story of Arafat, but all the councillors who had been elected in the recently-held ULB polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Rayees Lone, BJP member and Chairman of Municipal Committee of Pahalgam told NewsClick, "It is true that the councillors haven't received salary since last 7 months. They have also not received accommodation or security. They have been told to sleep at a Srinagar hotel during the night. Do you understand that Pahalgham is 100 km away from Srinagar? If councillors venture out, their whole time will be consumed in travelling. We approached the governor thrice in this regard and every time he said that he would look into the matter and release the salaries but nothing has happened."

Broken Promises and Assurances

Arafat says that to contest in an election in restive Kashmir is equal to risking one’s life but the government seems to ignore this fact.

Lone admits that it is highly risky to contest in Kashmir owing to the threat perception by the militants. “We contested when nobody was willing to participate. We contested when even mainstream parties had boycotted the elections. Do you see how risky it was yet we stood tall so that we can bring some faith. Now, it seems that the locals were right. The governments in Kashmir have mastered the art of breaking promises and giving farce assurances. We were promised that we will receive salaries. But we have not received even direct funds from the centre to keep the work going here. Even our administrative powers have been snatched. I, as a chairman of Municipal Committee from BJP, don’t enjoy the powers that a chairman should. This is unfortunate. What message are we spreading.”

Also Read: BJP’s Unabated Maltreatment of Kashmir

Political Activist, Touseef Raina, who had also contested in ULB polls from Baramulla told NewsClick, “Councillors play a huge role in connecting and helping people at the grass root levels. But sadly, they haven’t received salaries since they got elected. I urge the governor to release their salaries immediately. They took a great risk while contesting elections. Let’s not undermine ULBs and Panchayats, if we can’t support, empower or motivate them.”

‘We are Tagged as Indian Agents’

Arafat spoke his heart out when asked about protesting. “How can we protest? We stood against the local sentiment by contesting the elections. Now, how can we stand against the government in front of the locals? We are tagged as supporters of India. Moreover, we are not even provided security,” Arafat said.

While Lone said, “There is no government at place. Whom should we protest against? Its just the governor and he only gives fake assurances.”

NewsClick had earlier reported that the ULB polls held in October 2018 had recorded the lowest voter turn out of 4.27% in Kashmir – the lowest since 1951. As per the figures, out of 624 seats, in 40 municipal bodies across the Valley, polling was only held for 208 seats, while 416 seats were uncontested because of either just one contestant in the fray or no contestant at all. As per the official data, 185 wards remained vacant in Kashmir, as no nomination was filed.