Festive season behind lack of quorum

Shimla, October 7

Navratri and the apple season were the reasons for a lack of quorum in gram sabhas this month. This came to light after 58 students of MBA (rural development), Himachal Pradesh University, visited 34 gram panchayats in seven districts and 25 development blocks.

No resolution was passed in a majority of the gram panchayats visited by the students in the absence of quorum. However, pradhans and secretaries said except October, gram sabhas generally had the required quorum.

Awareness on sanitation, ill-effects of drugs and polythene bags is being created in villages. The department of interdisciplinary studies of Himachal Pradesh University organised the visit, the objective which was to expose the students to the working of gram panchayats. — TNS