Gram panchayat administrators named in Uttar Pradesh from 27 May as outgoing pradhans take interim charge

The Uttar Pradesh government will appoint outgoing gram pradhans as administrators of gram panchayats from 27 May, for up to six months or until new panchayats are formed. District magistrates will issue appointments. Administrators may handle only routine work, while any urgent policy proposal must be routed through the district panchayat raj officer.

The Uttar Pradesh government said outgoing gram pradhans will run gram panchayats as administrators after current terms end. The arrangement lasts until new panchayats form, or up to six months. Officials said the step aims to keep routine village work moving during the transition. The state issued the direction on Monday.

The tenure of Uttar Pradesh gram panchayats ends on May 26, 2026. The last panchayat elections were held in 2021. Officials said the next polls were expected sometime in 2026. The government said the outgoing village heads would take charge from May 27.

Uttar Pradesh gram panchayats: District magistrates given authority

The state said all district magistrates were empowered to name outgoing pradhans as administrators. The administrators will manage general administrative work in line with orders from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The government added that the role was limited to routine functions. It said administrators could not take policy decisions.

Uttar Pradesh gram panchayats: Rules set for urgent policy decisions

The government said some situations may need policy action under urgent or special conditions. In such cases, officials must send the proposal to the district magistrate. The route will be through the district panchayat raj officer. Any policy decision can happen only after the district magistrate approves it.

Uttar Pradesh gram panchayats: What the law allows after a five-year term

Officials said a gram panchayat term runs for five years. After the term ends, the state government can appoint an administrator. The administrator oversees local affairs until new panchayats are formed. The government linked the present order to this provision and set the maximum period at six months.

Uttar Pradesh gram panchayats: Gram Pradhan Sangathan reacts

The National Panchayati Raj Gram Pradhan Sangathan said it welcomed the decision. President Akhilesh Singh expressed thanks to the government. Singh also said the group would offer a "return gift\" in the next legislative assembly elections. Singh said the decision improved credibility and supported ongoing development work.

Singh said Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a promise to village heads earlier. Singh referred to the Gram Utkarsh Samaroh held on December 15, 2021. Singh said the Chief Minister had spoken of a \"triple-engine government\". Singh said that pledge had now been fulfilled through the latest decision.

The government statement also noted the group’s engagement with the state. It said the Uttar Pradesh unit, led by state unit president Lalit Sharma, held regular talks. These discussions involved the Panchayati Raj Department and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The statement added that the Bharatiya Janata Party was also part of the dialogue.

With inputs from PTI