PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS IN STATES
The State Governments
of Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttaranchal have failed to
hold Panchayat Elections in time. In the case of Arunachal Pradesh,
the State sought exemption from the Constitutional provision of
making reservations for Scheduled Castes as the State had no indigenous
people. The Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act consequently
was passed in May, 2001 following due process of law. The State
Government has indicated that the process for the holding of elections
in the State has been initiated.
In respect of Uttaranchal,
the State was carved out of the State of Uttar Pradesh in 2000.
The State has now indicated that elections are being held in March,
2003.
The State of Jharkhand,
a newly created State, has been facing disputes regarding percentage
of seats reserved for Tribal People in Scheduled V Areas of the
State.
This was informed
by Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Annasaheb M.K.
Patil in a written reply to Shri K.P. Singh Deo in Lok Sabha today.
