President Droupadi Murmu stated on Monday that panchayat elections could engender hostility among voters. In light of this, she stated that they are not being held along political party lines to ensure village harmony.
Murmu, speaking at a National Panchayati Raj Day event in New Delhi, stated that there is a provision for holding panchayat elections every five years.
“lekin yah dekha gaya hai ki ye chunaav logon ke kabhee-kabhee katuta bhee utpann karate hain. graamavaasiyon ke beech chunaav ke kaaran aapasee manamutaav na badhe isee ko dhyaan mein rakhate hue panchaayat chunaav ko raajaneetik paartiyon se alag rakha gaya hai. (However, it has been observed that these elections can sometimes incite animosity among the populace. Panchayat elections have been kept separate from political parties in order to prevent an increase in villager discord as a result of elections),” Murmu explained.
She stated, “It is a true principle that a society flourishes more when there is mutual harmony, and people have faith in one another.”
Murmu mentioned a government programme in Gujarat that rewards village panchayats that elect their representatives unanimously without holding elections.
“In this context, I’d like to mention the Gujarat government’s Samaras Gramme Yojana, introduced in its 2001 budget and rewards Panchayats that elect their representatives unanimously without holding elections,” the president said.
Murmu explained, “The purpose of this plan was to promote peace and harmony in the village and to prevent the acrimony caused by-elections.”
She stated, “I believe that a village is a form of extended family.” The village is a fundamental element; if it is developed, the entire nation is developed, she said, adding that village development is essential.
In addition, the President presented National Panchayat Awards to the nation’s top-performing panchayats. In attendance were also the Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Giriraj Singh, the Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Kapil Moreshwar Patil, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and the Panchayati Raj Secretary, Sunil Kumar.
