Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar on Wednesday said that out of more than 28,000 candidates, over 16,000 have been elected unanimously in the panchayat polls, which clearly prove the amendment to the PRI Act has been widely accepted by the people.
An overwhelming response, beyond the expectations of the Government, has been received to the ongoing elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State, said the Chief Minister while addressing a press conference here.
The new Panchayati Act stipulates that general-category candidates for panchayat polls must have a minimum qualification of completing class 10. Scheduled caste and women aspirants are required to clear class 8. Apart from mandatory educational qualifications for the candidates, the Act made it mandatory that poll candidates have a functional toilet at home. Anyone found defaulting in payment of agricultural loan and electricity bills are also disqualified from contesting the poll.
The first phase of Haryana Panchayat election were held on January 10 while the second and third phase will be held on January 17 and 24 respectively. The poll are conducted for 416 members of 21 zila parishads, 3001 posts of 126 panchayat samitis and 6198 posts and 62,492 posts of sarpanches and panches
The Chief Minister lauded the efforts of the Deputy Commissioners for successful completion of first phase of fifth general election to panchayati raj institutions and he hoped that the same efforts would be made in the next two phases of the elections.
While responding to a question whether the local bodies’ election would be delayed, he said that electoral rolls are being revised to include new eligible electors on attaining the age of 18 years. And, recommendations for holding local Bodies election would be made as soon as the work of revision of electoral rolls is completed. It is expected that this exercise would take about two month’s period, he added.
In reply to another query, he said that Haryana government would support the Central government recommendations, if any, regarding educational qualification mandatory for election to State Assembly and Parliament.
The Chief Minister also lauded the ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’ approved by the Centre on Wednesday.
Stating that it’s a path breaking scheme for farmers’ welfare, Manohar lal said that use of remote sensing, smart phones and drones for quick estimation of crop losses and early settlement of claims are some of the features of the scheme. Also, farmers’ share of premium has been substantially reduced, said he.
The Chief Minister added that awareness about the scheme would be spread across the state so that the farmers could be benefitted from it.
When asked about BJP’s poll promise for the implementation of Swaminanthan report, he said that the government’s aim is welfare of farmers and the new scheme is aimed at that only.