Vested interests, rivalry hit panchayat elections
Kuldeep Chauhan
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 31
Vested political interests and increasing local rivalry at the panchayat level have turned out to be major roadblocks in the state government’s Rs 10 lakh scheme for unanimous panchayat elections in the state.
A total of 732 panchayats will go to the polls in the second phase on Friday. The Directorate of Panchayati Raj Institutions has yet to compile data on panchayat members elected unanimously. Sources revealed that not more than 3 per cent of the 3,247 panchayats had elected their members unanimously so far.
This could make them eligible for a financial package of Rs 10 lakh, given to panchayats from the state fund for development after elections. “The election process in Kangra district is still on. We have not received the total figure for unanimous panchayat elections in the state,” said Ajay Sharma, Director, Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Elections in Bharmour and Kinnaur had been conducted in the first phase, he said. Polls in Pangi in Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti would be held in June, he added.
The story was no different in 151 tribal gram panchayats, earlier known for consensus and unanimity on political and social matters, revealed panchayat officials here.
Not more than 120 panchayats were elected unanimously in the state as per rough figures available from districts, they added.
“We have observed that the main reason for panchayat elections becoming highly politicised is that vested political interests have made deep inroads in villages, halting any pro-development scheme,” said Rakesh Singha, CPM leader.
“The Rs 10 lakh scheme is meant for development of panchayats, not individuals elected unanimously. Vested political interests believe that they get nothing from this scheme,” he added.
Ashwani Kumar, Secretary, State Election Commission, said 732 panchayats would go to the polls in the second phase on Friday.
A total of 5,371 poll officials had reached polling stations, he said. A total of 21,464 employees and 11,000 security men had been deployed to conduct free and fair polls in the state, he added.
He said results for panchayat polls would be declared on Friday evening, he said.
The results of panchayat samiti and zila parishad elections would be declared on January 7, Ashwani added.
State Election Commissioner TG Negi urged voters to cast their vote in large numbers. All arrangements had been made for conducting free and fair polls in the state, he added.
