PRI elections in Himachal only after disaster act is lifted: CM

Elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and Urban Local Bodies in Himachal Pradesh will be held only after the Disaster Management Act is lifted.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made this announcement in the State Legislative Assembly, which was held at Dharamshala on Thursday.

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Replying to a discussion on the adjournment motion, he said, “The State Election Commission will function entirely under the Disaster Management Act.”

The Chief Minister said that the Disaster Management Act of 2005 is currently in force in the state.
He added that the state had struggled with natural calamities in 2023, but the situation this year was even more severe.
He said the government had initiated the process of forming new panchayats in June and had accordingly issued directions to the Deputy Commissioners.

However, due to the subsequent natural disaster, the government was compelled to invoke the Disaster Management Act.
The calamity caused extensive damage not only in Seraj but also across the entire Mandi district, as well as in Kullu and Chamba.
The Chief Minister stated that the enforcement of the Disaster Management Act has caused a temporary pause in the elections, but they have not been postponed indefinitely.

He said that as long as the Act remains in force, the powers of the Election Commission will naturally be limited.
Responding to the issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, the Chief Minister reminded that the elections to the Shimla Municipal Corporation were deferred during the BJP government’s tenure.

He added that Panchayati Raj elections have no bearing on the Assembly elections, but the previous government postponed the municipal polls solely because the Assembly elections were scheduled the same year.

The Chief Minister further said that on December 11, his government will complete three years in office, and the state will provide a financial grant of Rs 1 lakh to the disaster-affected families for purchasing household items.
He said the government is committed to serving the people, and his focus is on present challenges.
As per the Constitution, elections to local bodies must be held within six months of the end of their tenure, and the government will conduct the elections in accordance with these provisions, he asserted.

After the Chief Minister’s reply on the adjournment motion, the opposition BJP members staged a walkout.
The opposition had brought an adjournment motion on day one of the Assembly session over the postponement of Panchayati Raj and urban local body elections and the alleged confrontation with the State Election Commission.

Earlier, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania had stated in the House that if the Opposition was satisfied with the Chief Minister’s reply, it could withdraw the adjournment motion; otherwise, it would be put to vote.

The opposition members walked out, and the adjournment motion was rejected by voice vote