Sir,
I would like to suggest a new idea for the election of Naib Sarpanch in the existing Panchayati Raj system. The term” Naib Sarpanch” means second to or a Deputy Sarpanch who is supposed to work as a Sarpanch during the absence of a Sarpanch. As laid down in the Panchayati Raj Act,a Naib Sarpanch is elected from the existing Panches and a Panch getting highest number of votes is elected as Naib Sarpanch. This procedure looks wrong on some grounds. First, the Sarpanches are elected directly by the concerned electorate which envisages that the Naib Sarpanch should also be directly elected by the concerned electorate. Secondly, the Panches represent the wards and not the entire electorate , in this way the panch elected by them as Naib Sarpanch can’t be a representative of the entire electorate. Thirdly, there remains a very tough competition between the candidates for the post of Panches and Sarpanches and the defeated candidates also get a significant percentage of votes indicating that they also represent a large number of people in the village Panchayats. Fourthly, there is no provision of any kind of opposition in the village Panchayats and the defeated Panches and Sarpanches are of no value.
To ensure the participation of defeated Panches and Sarpanches, it is suggested that the candidates standing second to the elected Panches and Sarpanches should be recognised as Naib Sarpanch and Naib Panches so that the votes cast in favour of the defeated candidates may not go waste. Besides, there is also an urgent need of a body to act as an opposition group in the village Panchayats.
It is hoped that the new Idea of election of Naib Sarpanch will be considered and necessary amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir state Panchayati Raj Act will introduce in best interest of rural people.
O P Sharma
Bagnoti
Nowshera
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel