Assam government has brought an amendment in the Panchayati Raj System to introduce political symbols in the elections of Zilla Parishad and Anchalik Panchayat. However, candidates contesting Gaon Panchayat elections will not be allowed party symbols. The bill also includes various provisions such as reservation of seats for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, constitution of Ward Sabha, and reorganization of GPs based on population density. The reforms aim to bring administrative efficiency and citizen-centric governance at the grassroots level.
The bill also specifies that no-confidence motion cannot be initiated for the first 2.5 years of the term of the President and Vice President of Gaon Panchayat, Anchalik Panchayat, and Zilla Parishad. It also states that GPs with more than a 10% SC/ST population will have rotation based reservation of seats for SC/ST community.
Additionally, the bill proposes the constitution of the District Delimitation Commission to decide the size of Zilla Parishad, Anchalik Panchayat, and Gaon Panchayat constituencies. It also includes provisions for the disqualification of elected representatives violating the legal age of marriage, disqualification of political party members due to anti-defection, and audit of ZP accounts by the Accountant General of Assam.
To further enhance administrative efficiency, the Governor of Assam has approved the creation of 79 Sub Divisions within their respective Administrative Districts. These Sub Divisions will also be known as Sub-Districts and will have their headquarters located at a central location within the Sub-District.
The proposed reforms aim to improve governance at the grassroots level by ensuring better representation, effective decision-making, and accountability. By allowing political symbols in some elections and reserving seats for marginalized communities, the government aims to promote inclusivity and equal participation in the democratic process.
(Source: [The Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/what-assam-governments-panchayati-raj-reform-looks-like/articleshow/103611638.cms))
