Haryana gets ready for panchayat polls

CHANDIGARH: The preparations for the elections to the panchayti raj institutions — zila parishads, block samitis and panchayats — has begin, as the department has forwarded the complete proposal cum action plan to chief minister’s office (CMO) for his approval.
Impact of farmers agitation is likely to be major concern for government in taking the final call. As the elections in Uttar Pradesh are over, the government may expedite the decision about polls.
According to information, the CMO has to take the call if the panchayat elections will be conducted ahead of civic polls to 45 cities or after the civic polls. As the local bodies department too has completed the draw of lots for the reservation of wards and presidents of municipal councils and municipal committees that have to go for polls.
Sources said the CM Manohar Lal Khattar and deputy CM Dushyant Chautala have started the discussion on various issues related to polls. The CMO is likely to decide by next week, sources said.
ACS (development and panchayats) Amit Jha on Saturday confirmed that the file related to department’s plans has been forwarded to the CMO. He, however, expressed inability to share further details.
According to sources, if all goes according to the proposed plans, state may conduct panchayat polls by the first week of August and the model code of conduct can come into force by around July 20.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioners have been asked to start the preparations about reservation of wards for panchayat, zila parishad and block samiti polls and they are expected to complete the same by July 10. Sources said CM Khattar and Haryana BJP president Om Parkash Dhankar and state BJP incharge too have had discussion on this issue. BJP too has to take the final call on the issue now.