The Uttarakhand panchayat seats issue has taken a new turn as the Panchayati Raj Directorate has sent a proposal to the state government to remove reservation from hundreds of vacant posts. The move comes after repeated elections failed to fill these positions.
According to officials, a total of 3,846 ग्राम पंचायत member posts reserved for SC, ST, and OBC categories remain vacant even after two rounds of elections. Now, except for seats reserved for women, most of these posts are proposed to be converted into general category seats to ensure elections can be conducted.
The Uttarakhand panchayat seats proposal is based on recommendations sent by District Magistrates from various districts. They suggested that reserved seats be de-reserved as no candidates filed nominations for these positions during earlier elections.
Officials said that during the three-tier panchayat elections held in July last year, most posts like district पंचायत member, block पंचायत member, and ग्राम प्रधान were filled. However, a large number of gram panchayat member seats remained vacant due to lack of candidates.
Subsequently, by-elections were conducted, but the situation remained unchanged. At present, 3,846 gram panchayat member posts, 16 gram pradhan posts, and three block panchayat member posts are still vacant across the state.
The Uttarakhand panchayat seats issue has also affected governance at the village level. In 33 gram panchayats, elected pradhans have not been able to take oath even after eight months due to the absence of the required quorum of ward members.
The state currently has 7,817 gram panchayats, 3,195 block panchayat member posts, and 402 district panchayat member posts. Officials said that once approval is granted, elections will be conducted for the third time on these posts after converting them into general category seats.
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Director Panchayati Raj Nidhi Yadav confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the government, and further action will be taken after approval.
