Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Oct 2: The Apex Level committee constituted for conducting preparatory work for bye-elections for Panchayats and Block Development Councils (BDC) in Jammu and Kashmir has submitted its report to the government.
The government had constituted Apex Level Committee headed by the Principal Secretary Home while Director General of Police, Additional Director General of Police (CID), J&K, commissioner secretary transport, department, Divisional commissioner, Kashmir, Jammu were nominated as its members.
Sources said the Apex Level Committee after assessing the ground level situation including security, logistics, personnel, equipment etc, and also the inputs of the Divisional Level Committees has submitted its report to the government.
They said the committee has drawn a roadmap for conduct of Elections to vacant Panchayats across the Union Territory.
Director Rural development Kashmir confirmed that the committee has submitted its report to the government.
“We are prepared to conduct these elections but the election department will decide the further course of action,” he said.
Another official said Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) held a high level detailed meeting today to discuss the conduct of the bye-elections to the vacant panchayat seats.
The Government of India (GoI) has already told Jammu and Kashmir government to initiate the process for holding elections on vacant Panchayat seats.
“Recently the Chief Electoral Officer also discussed with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinah about holding elections on vacant Panchayat seats. Polls are likely to be conducted in the next two months,” an official said.
The official said issue is also being discussed with security agencies to ensure adequate security arrangements in place
Recently the Administrative Council (AC) headed by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, has approved the proposal of the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj to issue a notification for conducting elections to vacant Sarpanch/Panch constituencies.
Sources said that the schedule for holding the elections is being worked out and dates shall be announced by the Chief Electoral Officer soon. (KINS)
