Maharashtra Government Proposes Temporary Delay of Elections for ZPs and Panchayat Samitis
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Nagpur, Dec 16 (NationPress) The Maharashtra government initiated its weeklong winter session on Monday by introducing a bill aimed at temporarily deferring the elections for the presidents, vice-presidents, and chairmen of specific Zilla Parishads (ZPs) as well as the chairmen and deputy chairmen of several Panchayat Samitis for a period of 90 days.
The elections for these positions were originally scheduled for October-November, but due to the state Assembly elections in November, the government had previously issued an ordinance while both Houses of the state legislature were not in session.
With the winter session's commencement, BJP Minister Chandrakant Patil brought forth the Bill in the state Assembly.
Patil noted that the government had enacted an ordinance on October 14. "The general elections to the state legislative assembly were anticipated to take place in November. Because of the election, all collectors and personnel at the district collectorate, alongside police staff, were engaged with election preparations and would be involved with pre and post-election duties. To prevent any overlap between the elections and avoid undue pressure on civil and police administrations, as well as any potential law and order issues or inconveniences for citizens, candidates, and voters, it was deemed necessary to temporarily delay the elections of the Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Chairmen of the Subject Committees of some Zilla Parishads and the Chairmen and Deputy Chairmen of some Panchayat Samitis for 90 days," states the Bill.
The Bill stipulates that all presidents, vice-presidents, and chairmen of the Subject Committees of particular Zilla Parishads and the chairmen and deputy chairmen of specific Panchayat Samitis, whose terms are considered extended, shall, throughout this extended period, be regarded as competent to exercise all powers, fulfill all duties, and carry out all functions.
The Collectors and other relevant officers will be responsible for organizing the elections for the president, vice-president, and chairmen of the Subject Committees of certain Zilla Parishads and the chairmen and deputy chairmen of various Panchayat Samitis in accordance with the provisions of the Zilla Parishad Act and its associated regulations before or as soon as feasible after the extended term of these office holders ends, according to the Bill.
The Minister also proposed an amendment to the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Townships Act, 1965 that would allow the election of the president and vice-president by elected councillors from amongst themselves, establishing a two-and-a-half-year term for such officials. In the case of indirectly elected presidents and vice-presidents of the Nagar Panchayats, the term has been set to five years.
(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
