The State Government has approved a proposal to add 500 new gram panchayats (GPs) ahead of the panchayat polls to be held in February 2017.
Notably, there are 6,211 panchayats in the State at present.
The Government would submit the records pertaining to the boundary, ward details and reservation status of the panchayats to the State Election Commission (SEC) within a month, said Panchayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Singh.
A formal notification on delimitation of the panchayats would be published within a month, said Singh.
The decision was taken on the basis of the recommendations received from the district Collectors.
According to sources, a formal notification on the creation of the new panchyats would be published by the Government soon. The limits of the panchayats, wards, and reservations pertaining to the same would also be part of the notification.
Notably, the State Cabinet on June 5 had approved a proposal to amend The Orissa Grama Panchayat Act that would facilitate creation of 500 new panchayats across the State. The new panchayats are being created in keeping with the promise made by the BJD in its 2014 election manifesto to create a panchayat for every 1,000 population.