(a) whether the Ministry is aware that Panchayat elections have not been held since 2005 in the GTA region (earlier DGHC), Darjeeling, West Bengal;
(b) the details of the States where Panchayat elections have not been held since 2005;
(c) the manner in which the Government plans to implement grassroot level schemes in the absence of elected Panchayat bodies; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to restore the panchayat system in the States where Panchayat elections have not been held?
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) The details of States where Panchayat election is currently due is as under:
Sl. No. States Month and Year when election is due
1 Andhra Pradesh Gram Panchayat: August2018
Block Panchayat: April 2019
District Panchayat: April 2019
2 Arunachal Pradesh May 2018
3 Tamil Nadu October 2016
(c) Panchayat is a State subject and the elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions are held by the States under their respective Panchayati Raj Acts. For conduct of elections to the Local Bodies, States have also setup State Election Commissions. The Gram Panchayat level schemes are being implemented for those GPs as well where the elections are not held.
(d) Ministry of Panchayati Raj regularly advises the States for holding regular and timely elections to Panchayats.
**********