Orissa govt.for direct Chairperson elections in ULBs

Bhubaneswar,Mar 14 (UNI)Chairpersons of Municipalities, Notified Area Councils and Municipal Corporations would henceforth be elected directly by the people,Orissa Urban Development Minister K V Singdeo informed the Assembly today.

Replying to a question of Mr Rudra Madhab Ray(Ind) Mr.K V Singh Deo said a bill to amend the existing laws for incorporating the provision to conduct the direct election to the posts would be moved in the current session of the Assembly.

His announcement came after Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, taking the mood of the House into consideration, asked the minister to bring an amendment to the law for direct election to the posts of chairpersons.

Earlier, cutting across party lines,the members said the existing system of election of Chairpersons through ward members had many problems and often leads to horse trading.

They demanded the government do away with the present system and introduce direct elections to elect chairpersons of urban local bodies for smooth execution of developmental work.

The members also urged the minister to reconsider the 'faulty' delimitation of the urban bodies but Mr.Singdeo said the delimitation of the NAC and Municipalities had already been completed.

The elections to two Municipal Corporations and 94 Municipal councils and NACs would be held in September next, he said.

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