Suspension of 9 panchayat-level officers revoked

The State Election Commission has revoked the suspension of nine panchayat-level officers, who were suspended for lapses in preparation of electoral rolls for the forthcoming panchayat polls. “Their suspension has been revoked with a warning to be careful in future,” said an official from the Election Commission.

Seven panchayat secretaries, one panchayat inspector and one sub-inspector were suspended in seven panchayats in two districts Chamba and Mandi. The commission had also issued show-cause notices to Block Development Officers of Bharmour and Nihri. They, too, have been let off. These officials had not generated the preview copy of the electoral rolls, which was to be placed in the special meeting of their respective Gram Sabha. The lapse had resulted in the generation of defective draft electoral rolls.