Punjab CPM criticises amendments in Panchayat Act

Jalandhar, Mar 15 (UNI) Punjab government has scuttled the democracy at the grassroot level by amending the Panchayat Act, Punjab CPM secretary Mangat Ram Pasla today claimed.

After the conclusion of the party' two-day meeting held here, Mr Pasla observed that the recent amendments, made by the state government in the Panchayat Act, especially the one which mentions one month gap for the election of Sarpanch by the elected Panches after their election and replacing EVMs by ballot paper, were obnoxious and anti-democratic in nature.

''These amendments are solely directed to gerrymander the elections and to capture the Panchayati Raj bodies by hook or crook'', he said.

Mr Pasla informed that state committee had urged upon the state election commission to ensure free and fair polls by all possible means. It has also exhorted the masses to oppose these amendments with full might and also to check the undue interference of the ruling parties in the election process.

UNI DP PS KK AS1915