Srinagar, May 19 -- Former minister and ex-MLA Bandipora Usman Majid on Tuesday accused legislators of interfering in developmental planning under DDC, BDC and MGNREGA schemes in Bandipora, alleging that the process was undermining grassroots democracy and public participation.

In a statement, Majid alleged that works and priorities approved through Gram Sabha consultations under MGNREGA were later altered to suit political interests.

"The works proposed and approved by villagers during Gram Sabha meetings under MGNREGA are reportedly nowhere to be seen now. Instead, new works have allegedly been inserted and controlled through political interference," he said.

Majid said Gram Sabhas remained an important democratic mechanism even thou...