Himachal Pradesh Government Establishes Committees to Manage Panchayats and Zila Parishads Until Elections

Following the end of tenures for elected bodies, the Himachal Pradesh government has set up committees to oversee gram panchayats and zila parishads until elections can be conducted. This decision comes due to restrictions under the Disaster Management Act.

The Himachal Pradesh government has formed interim committees to manage gram panchayats, panchayat samitis, and zila parishads. This decision follows the end of the terms of most elected Panchayati Raj institutions in the state. The committees will operate until new elections are held.

Committees Formed Due to Election Delays

The Department of Panchayati Raj issued a notification on Saturday about the dissolution of existing bodies and the formation of these committees. Elections could not be held due to the Disaster Management Act, 2005 being in effect. Consequently, the elected bodies were dissolved under Sections 120 and 128 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.

Committee Leadership Structure

In gram panchayats, the block development officer (BDO) will act as the committee chairperson. The panchayat secretary will serve as the member secretary. For panchayat samitis, the chief executive officer will lead as chairperson, with a social education and block planning officer as a member. The panchayat inspector or sub-inspector will be the member secretary.

Zila Parishad Committee Composition

The zila parishad committee will have its chief executive officer as chairperson. The district development officer will be a member, while the district panchayat officer will take on the role of member secretary. These arrangements ensure continuity in governance until elections can be conducted.

The government’s actions aim to maintain administrative functions at local levels despite election delays. This temporary measure is crucial for ensuring that local governance continues smoothly without interruption.

With inputs from PTI