A controversial order by the Panchayati Raj Department has been revoked ahead of the Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh. The order had restricted complaints against the Gram Pradhan (village head) to local residents only, but this has now been opened to all individuals.
Lucknow: Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh. Amidst this, a controversial order from the Panchayati Raj Department had created a stir. According to the order, complaints against Gram Pradhans could only be filed by a person who was a resident of that Gram Panchayat. However, following pressure from the administration and public reaction, this order has been revoked. Now, any individual, whether a resident of the Panchayat or not, will have the right to complain against the Pradhan to the government and the District Magistrate.
This move has been taken with the objective of ensuring transparency and increasing citizen participation in the democratic process in the run-up to the Panchayat elections. The head of the department is Om Prakash Rajbhar, the president of Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party.
Panchayati Raj Department revokes controversial order
An order issued by S N Singh on July 31 stated that only a local resident could file a complaint against the Gram Pradhan with an affidavit. This order faced criticism from the entire department and administrative circles.
Following the order, the DMs of several districts were instructed to implement it. Furthermore, the order was in contravention of the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Panchayati Raj Department Investigation Rules, 1997. Because of this, a complainant named Praveen Kumar Maurya lodged a complaint. Subsequently, after a high-level review, the decision was taken to revoke the order.
Right to complain against Gram Pradhan
After the order was revoked, the department clarified that now any person has the right to complain against the Gram Pradhan. This is expected to ensure transparency in the Panchayat elections and prevent any obstruction in the complaint process.
In the past, such orders have also led to controversies and criticism. Questions have also been raised earlier regarding directives to investigate illegal encroachments by Yadavs and Muslims, which clearly indicates that decisions at the Panchayat level can have a wide-ranging impact.
