Rajasthan panchayat poll: Collectors, SDMs assigned key reservation responsibilities

Jaipur, July 25 (IANS) Preparations for the upcoming Rajasthan Panchayat elections have gathered momentum, with the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department assigning key responsibilities to District Collectors and Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) as part of the election process.

The department has authorised Collectors and SDMs to determine category-wise reservations for elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions.

The orders have been issued by Jogaram, Secretary and Commissioner of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department.

Under the new arrangement, District Collectors will determine reservations for wards in Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, as well as for the posts of Pradhan within their respective districts.

Similarly, Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs)/SDMs will finalise reservations for Gram Panchayat wards and the posts of Sarpanch in their jurisdictions.

However, officials will have to wait for the OBC (Political) Commission’s report, which is expected by August 5, before finalising the reservation matrix.

Once reservations are notified, the State Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule.

Elections are proposed to be completed by November for 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis, and 14,403 Gram Panchayats across the state.

The Rajasthan government told the High Court that the OBC (Political) Commission would complete its survey and submit its report by August 5, in compliance with the court’s directions issued on July 15.

After the submission of the report, the reservation process through a lottery system is expected to be completed by August 15.

The lottery for reserving seats of Sarpanchs, Up-Sarpanchs, Pradhans, Zila Pramukhs, and ward members will be conducted under the supervision of District Collectors at district headquarters and SDMs at the sub-divisional level.

During a recent hearing before the Rajasthan High Court, the State Election Commission indicated that the election process is likely to begin in August, with polling expected to be conducted in four phases.

As per the tentative schedule presented before the court, the election process is proposed to conclude by November 15, in line with the court’s directive to complete the entire exercise within 90 days.

The final election programme will be announced by the State Election Commission after the reservation process is completed.

–IANS

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