HC directs chief secretary to file affidavit

Patna, Nov 28 (UNI) Patna High Court today directed the state chief secretary to file an affidavit within six months on steps taken to ensure constitutional rights to newly elected panchayat representatives.

A division of the court comprising Chief Justice Dr J N Bhatt and Justice S N Hussain issued the directive during hearing of a public interest litigation petition filed in this connection.

Petitioner submitted before the court that state government had failed to give rights to panchayat representatives despite its earlier order.

Counsel of the state government informed the court that several steps had been taken to ensure the constitutional rights to the newly elected panchayat representatives.

Dissatisfied with the reply of the state government for its failure to ensure the rights to panchayat representative, the court asked the state government to file affidavit in this connection.

Earlier, the court had directed the state government to ensure constitutional rights to the panchayat representatives on September 21 this year.

UNI XC BA SS2209