Democracy in rural areas of Sirmaur district was showcased when 28 gram panchayats elected their representatives unanimously. The development has reduced the number of panchayats heading to elections from 273 to 245. The consensus-building exercise gathered momentum on the final day of nomination withdrawal when villagers in 23 additional panchayats reached an agreement to elect their representatives unanimously. Local Assistant Returning Officers and Block Development Officers were subsequently informed after the complete panels were finalised without a contest.
Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Verma said that all 28 unanimously elected panchayats would now qualify for the Himachal Pradesh Government’s special incentive of Rs 25 lakh each. Among all development blocks, the highest number of 10 panchayats elected unanimously were in Shillai, followed by five in Tilordhar block of the Kamrau region. Both blocks fall in the Shillai Assembly constituency.
In Sri Renukaji Assembly constituency, four panchayats in Sangrah block were elected unanimously while one panchayat in Dadahu block was elected unopposed. Two panchayats each in Paonta Sahib and Pachhad development blocks were also elected unanimously. Interestingly, no panchayat in Nahan development block could reach a consensus for unanimous elections.
The unanimously elected panchayats include Dado Devria and Shadiya in Pachhad block; Dana Ghaton, Sangrah Rural, Sainj and Ranfua Jabrog in Sangrah block; and Matal Bakhog, Nehrati Baghot, Kathli Bharan and Habban in Rajgarh block.
Similarly, Tatiyana, Sharli Manpur, Poka, Shawga and Kando Chyog in Tilordhar block; Drabil, Bakras, Bambl, Bindla Digwa, Dharwa, Jarwa Junaili, Kando Bhatnaul, Navan Bhatwad, Shakhauli and Shiri Kyari in Shillai block; Chadna in Dadahu block; and Bhaila and Shiva panchayats in Paonta Sahib block were elected unopposed.
