Punjab Cabinet approves indirect election of Sarpanches

Chandigarh, Jan 30 (UNI) The Punjab Cabinet today gave its nod for indirect election of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats.

In doing so the Cabinet approved to amend section 10 and other relevant sections of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994 to provide for indirect election.

Elections of the Gram Panchayats, Zila Parishads and Block Samitis are scheduled to be held in the state within the next few months. In the last elections held under Congress rule, Sarpanches were directly elected alongwith the Panches.

However with this approval of the Cabinet, the Panches will now elect the Sarpanches.

The SAD-BJP government is of the viewpoint that indirect elections to the Sarpanches would lessen the chances of group rivalry in the villages. The government has pointed out that in the past Sarpanches were elected by the Panches.

However the other political parties, including the Congress have criticised this move on the grounds that the ruling alliance could 'misuse' official machinery to get sarpanches of their choice elected by putting pressure on the elected Panches.

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