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| JK Govt to hold polls on vacant Panchayat seats in March | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Dec 31: Jammu and Kashmir administration is likely to hold Panchayat elections in over 60 percent seats in March 2020 that have remained vacant in the new Union Territory.
The Panchayat elections were conducted in November-December 2018 for 4483 Panchayats with a Sarpanch for each Panchayat Halqa and 35029 Panchs in Jammu and Kashmir. However, there are over 60 percent Panchayat seats vacant in the new Union Territory.
An official at Chief Electoral Officer said Centre has told Jammu and Kashmir government to initiate process for holding elections on vacant Panchayat seats.
"Chief Electoral Officer Shailandra Kumar also discussed with Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu about holding of elections on vacant Panchayat seats. Polls are likely to be conducted in March after winters," the official said.
The official said issue is also being discussed with security agencies to ensure adequate security arrangements in place "Majority of seats remained vacant in Kashmir as no candidates were fielded in those constituencies. Most of these constituencies fall in south Kashmir," the official said.
He said that final electoral rolls will be completed in two weeks. "After which final decision will be taken keeping into weather factors into consideration," he said.
On Tuesday, Kumar also held a meeting with divisional commissioners and IGPs of Jammu and Kashmir to discuss the poll preparations.
In Kashmir out of 20093 Panch and Sarpanch seats, only 6162 Panches and 1366 Sarpanches were elected in the polls while 12565 constituencies have remained vacant.
In Jammu, 15800 Panches and 2289 Sarpanches were elected where 166 seats have remained vacant. While in Ladakh, 45 seats are vacant where 1414 Panches and 192 Sarpanches were elected.
National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the polls.
Another top official said Centre has given an indication to hold the process. "The process will be initiated when notification is issued," he said.
Elections for Block Development Council were recently elected in Jammu and Kashmir. Two main parties National Conference and Peoples Democratic Party boycotted the polls.
A top official of Rural Development Department said that Centre has also directed Jammu and Kashmir administration to empower Panchayats at maximum level.
There are 21 departments including Rural Development, Social Welfare, Health, Education, Power, Horticulture, Fisheries and Agriculture, which come under the administrative control of Panchayat members, the official said. |
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