Despite the completion of three-tier Panchayat elections in the remaining 12 districts of the state except Haridwar, there are chances of development work being affected due to non-formation of Panchayats in 4792 Gram Panchayats. This situation has arisen due to two-thirds of the posts of Gram Panchayat members being vacant in 4772 Gram Panchayats, while the election of Gram Pradhans could not be held in 20. In view of all this, now the preparations have intensified for the by-elections of the total 33490 posts including Gram Panchayat members which are vacant. The kind of indications that are being received are pointing towards this that the by-elections can be held by 20 September. The State Election Commission has also sent a letter to the government asking to provide the details of the vacant posts soon. Elections were recently held for 7499 Gram Panchayats, 89 Kshetra Panchayats and 12 Zilla Panchayats of 12 districts. Now the process of oath taking of elected Panchayat representatives has also started. In this sequence, oath taking took place in Gram Panchayats on 27th August. Then Panchayats could be formed only in 2707 Gram Panchayats. In the remaining, Panchayats could not be formed due to non-election of two-thirds of the posts of Gram Panchayat members. Due to this, 4772 Gram Pradhans are sitting vacant even after being elected, while in 20 Gram Panchayats, nomination for the post of Pradhan could not be done during the elections. Amidst this scenario, now emphasis is being laid on the formation of Gram Panchayats as soon as possible. In this sequence, the government has started working hard. The details of vacant posts in Panchayats in all the districts have been sought from the Panchayati Raj Department. Sources said that the program for by-elections to these posts can be released after the oath taking in the District Panchayats on September 6.
By-elections will be held for these posts
Position, Number
Gram Panchayat Member, 33468
Gram Pradhan, 20
Kshetra Panchayat Member, 02
In view of the by-elections on the vacant posts in the three-tier panchayats, their district-wise details have been sought from the government. After high-level discussions, the program for the by-elections will be released soon. – Sushil Kumar, State Election Commissioner.
