Commission may report DCs’ “lack of cooperation” to Governor

The State Election Commission might report “lack of cooperation” by Deputy Commissioners in carrying out the election-related activities to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, the constitutional head of the state. The commission is considering the option in view of the Deputy Commissioners not following the poll processes linked to the impending elections to panchayati raj institutions and urban local bodies in the state.

The Deputy Commissioners first failed to publish the final voter list as required by the law, following which the commission sent notices to them seeking their explanation for the lapse. Even though the deadline for sending the reply has passed, a majority of the DCs are yet to respond.

Besides, the DCs haven’t collected the ballot papers printed for the elections from Shimla. “A schedule was prepared for all districts to collect ballot papers from November 15-20. The dates given to seven to eight districts to collect the ballot papers have passed but no one has done it so far,” said a source.

The Deputy Commissioners, though, have been directed by the government to prioritise the disaster-related work.

In another major development, the government today appointed C Paulrasu as Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, amidst the rift between the government and the election commission over the elections. Paulrasu has replaced Rajesh Sharma.

Besides, the Panchayati Raj Department has received proposals for the reorganization/delimitation of 23 panchayats in response to its letter to the Deputy Commissioners on November 1. The letters were sent after the government, in the Cabinet meeting on October 25, observed that several proposals related to re-organisaiton/delimitation of gram panchayats could not be considered during monsoon as the Deputy Commissioners were busy with relief and rehabilitation work. These proposals have come from four districts, Kangra, Mandi, Una and Shimla. The Election Commission has, however, frozen the boundaries of all gram panchayats and urban local bodies now.