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Dilemma persists regarding organizing Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh. The Sukhu government is in no mood to hold elections and is making the excuse of disaster. The Election Commission is adamant on its point. Even in the winter session of the Assembly, BJP and Congress are face to face regarding elections. The tenure of the Panchayats will end in January 2026.
Hospice. There is an uproar in Himachal Pradesh regarding Panchayat elections and Congress and BJP are face to face on this issue in the Assembly also. Now CM Sukhu has clearly stated that Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh will be held only after the removal of the Disaster Management Act. However, the CM did not tell when this Act would be removed. In such a situation, it can be assumed that Panchayat elections will be delayed in the state.
In response to the discussion on the adjournment motion, CM Sukhu said in the House that no deputy commissioner was stopped from carrying out the election work and this year the loss was more than the disaster that occurred last time. This year, the Disaster Management Act has been in force since the time of the natural disaster. At a time when the state was struggling with the disaster, how could the Deputy Commissioners have been ordered to leave the work of disaster relief and take up election work.
Minister told how much will be spent on Panchayat elections
On the adjournment motion, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh said in the House that till now the government has not said anywhere that the elections are being postponed and there are 21 thousand 147 booths in the state. 45 thousand employees and 10 thousand police personnel will be on duty and around Rs 100 crore will be spent. There is time till January 30 for Panchayat elections. The minister said that there are 631 panchayat buildings or community centers in the state which are damaged, in which it is not possible to conduct elections at present and also the government is reviewing the roster of 2010. The minister also asked why Panchayat elections were not held on time in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand.
