In a major decision, Haryana Government on Tuesday made mandatory for the candidates in Panchayat elections to have basic educational qualification, no grave criminal offence, a functional toilet at home and clearance of outstanding dues of electricity bills.
Prior to the announcement of Panchayati Raj elections in the State, Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday approved amendments in the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 aimed at improving the quality of leadership and governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
As per the amendments, the minimum academic qualification for all levels of the elected representatives of PRIs (Panchayati Raj Institutions) will be class X. However, for the women and Scheduled Castes candidates, the minimum educational qualification will be class VIII.
Another amendment provides that persons against whom charges have been framed by the competent court for grave criminal offences punishable not less than 10 years imprisonment will not be allowed to contest the elections till they are acquitted by the court.
At present, there is a disqualification for contesting the elections of PRIs by those who have been convicted by the courts, but there are many instances where persons have been let off because of shortcomings in the investigation process.
“The amendment will enable elected representatives of PRIs to be more accountable, as they would no longer be able to take excuse of illiteracy,” said the Chief Minister Manohar lal while addressing the mediapersons after presiding over Haryana Cabinet.
He said that another reason for prescribing minimum educational qualification is that even after the introduction of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, illiteracy is a common excuse by the elected representatives for poor functioning of the Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samities and Zila Parishads.
The Chief Minister added that an ordinance will soon be issued to make the amendments in the Act as the assembly session is likely to be convened after the PRI polls.
In another amendment, the defaulters of cooperative loans will be debarred from contesting the elections to PRIs.
Apart from this, only those persons who have cleared their outstanding dues of the rural domestic electricity connections will be able to contest elections to PRIs. Also, any candidate desirous of contesting elections for any part of a PRI will have to file a self certified statement that there is a functional toilet in his/her residence.
Manohar lal said that the level of non-payment of overdue loans has led to situation where Haryana State Cooperative Agricultural Rural Development Bank (HSCARDB) is under severe stress with its refinancing capability virtually left dry. Unless the outstanding dues are liquidated within a short duration, the very existence of the entire cooperative structure will be jeopardized, said he.
He said that the State Government would soon announce the schedule for elections to PRIs.
Notably, as many as 6,083 gram panchayats are working without elected representatives post July 25. In the absence of finalized electoral rolls, the panchayat polls missed the July 25 deadline.