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Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Uttarakhand High Court vacates stay on panchayat elections
Observing that the repetition of reservation in seats is minuscule and in compliance with Article 243D of the Constitution, the Uttarakhand High Court vacated the stay on panchayat elections and ordered that the process be resumed. The pleas, which prompted the stay on June 23, were by a clutch of petitioners arguing that the government's decision to nullify the existing reservation rotation for the panchayat polls and bring about a new rotation has prevented them from being able to contest. Under the reservation rotation system, constituencies are reserved for various categories for three terms, after which the quota goes to other seats. With a new rotation starting this year, the petitioner had said a seat that had been reserved for the last three terms would again be reserved this year, preventing him from contesting the election. The division bench of Chief Justice G Narender and Justice Alok Mahra heard the counsel for the government who argued that the repetition was conducted on the recommendations of a report by a committee and was in compliance with the provisions of Article 234 D of the Constitution (pertaining to the reservation of seat in Panchayati Raj system). While arguing, the counsel for the state had relied on the Supreme Court's verdicts on withholding elections. 'The apex court has held that withholding election is a breach of constitutional mandate, for any reason, and even the SC cannot do it, even under article 142. This constitutional mandate that elections should proceed at any cost is inviolable,' the Advocate General had said. On Friday, the HC said that the rulings of the Supreme Court that the counsel relied on elucidated one invariable rule that the constitutional courts may stall the election process where there is no compliance with the constitutional mandate regarding reservation under Article 243-D of the Constitution of India. Aiswarya Raj is a correspondent with The Indian Express who covers South Haryana. An alumna of Asian College of Journalism and the University of Kerala, she started her career at The Indian Express as a sub-editor in the Delhi city team. In her current position, she reports from Gurgaon and covers the neighbouring districts. She likes to tell stories of people and hopes to find moorings in narrative journalism. ... Read More
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
On Ilayaperumal's 102nd birth anniversary, MP urges TN to cut funds to panchayats practising untouchability
KALLAKURICHI: Marking the 102nd birth anniversary of veteran Dalit leader and former Member of Parliament L Ilayaperumal, MP D Ravikumar on Thursday urged the Tamil Nadu government to implement a key recommendation made by Ilayaperumal's committee—denying funds to village panchayats where untouchability continues to persist. Speaking at the District-Level Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting in Kallakurichi, Ravikumar highlighted Ilayaperumal's pivotal role in championing the rights of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He recalled that Ilayaperumal chaired the country's first committee formed in 1969 to study the conditions of SC/ST communities and had recommended several landmark reforms. 'One of his significant recommendations was to make temple priesthood accessible to individuals from all castes. This directly led to then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi enacting the necessary legislation in Tamil Nadu,' Ravikumar said. He added that Ilayaperumal had also advocated for reservation for SC/STs in Panchayati Raj institutions — a vision that materialised through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. 'Although untouchability was abolished by the Constitution in 1950, it continues in many forms across rural India, even after 75 years of Independence,' Ravikumar said. 'To address this, Ilayaperumal proposed withholding financial assistance to panchayats that failed to eliminate caste-based discrimination — a policy that was already being implemented in Gujarat at the time. I appeal to Chief Minister M K Stalin to implement a similar policy in Tamil Nadu, making it a model state in enforcing social justice,' he added.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt launches website to curb drug abuse
Ranchi: State rural development and Panchayati Raj minister Dipika Pandey Singh launched a website containing ill-effects of drug use, government policies, legal provisions, de-addiction and rehabilitation as its statewide campaign to curb drug use ended on Thursday. During the event, held at Shaurya Hall in Doranda, officials said over 12,000 awareness programs were held across panchayats and districts during the fortnight long campaign. "Under chief minister Hemant Soren's directions, the deputy commissioners and the superintendents of police ensured that the awareness campaign reaches the villages. Many youths and women participated in the functions. We, however, must catch the kingpins of drug supplies. The addicted persons should be treated as patients and be de-addicted and rehabilitated," Pandey said. Chief secretary (CS) Alka Tiwari said that the network of drug peddlers is increasing rapidly, and a coordinated effort is needed to check it. "Earlier, we used to think of Punjab and north-eastern states while talking of drug abuse. Now, it is a problem for Jharkhand also. There is need for awareness drive in the offices as employees also can take to drugs under stress," she said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like La protección de Bitdefender detiene el fraude antes de que se produzca Bitdefender Undo Principal secretary home Vandana Dadel said the administration destroyed poppy plants, which is used for making opium on over 27,000 acres in 2024-25 season. "We are conducting a training programme for 238 mukhiyas of the destructed areas to ensure that poppy cultivation does not occur there," Ranchi: State rural development and Panchayati Raj minister Dipika Pandey Singh launched a website containing ill-effects of drug use, government policies, legal provisions, de-addiction and rehabilitation as its statewide campaign to curb drug use ended on Thursday. During the event, held at Shaurya Hall in Doranda, officials said over 12,000 awareness programs were held across panchayats and districts during the fortnight long campaign. "Under chief minister Hemant Soren's directions, the deputy commissioners and the superintendents of police ensured that the awareness campaign reaches the villages. Many youths and women participated in the functions. We, however, must catch the kingpins of drug supplies. The addicted persons should be treated as patients and be de-addicted and rehabilitated," Pandey said. Chief secretary (CS) Alka Tiwari said that the network of drug peddlers is increasing rapidly, and a coordinated effort is needed to check it. "Earlier, we used to think of Punjab and north-eastern states while talking of drug abuse. Now, it is a problem for Jharkhand also. There is need for awareness drive in the offices as employees also can take to drugs under stress," she said. Principal secretary home Vandana Dadel said the administration destroyed poppy plants, which is used for making opium on over 27,000 acres in 2024-25 season. "We are conducting a training programme for 238 mukhiyas of the destructed areas to ensure that poppy cultivation does not occur there,"
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Won't rely on crutches: NC National Conference ally Congress to contest J&K polls solo
SRINAGAR: National Conference ally Congress said Tuesday it will contest upcoming elections in J&K independently, signalling a shift before possible assembly or local body polls. 'This time, we won't rely on crutches,' said J&K Congress president Tariq Hamid Karra at a function in Srinagar. 'Congress must be seen as a credible alternative in J&K.' Congress backed NC in the Oct 2024 assembly elections. NC became the single largest party in the 90-member House and Congress won six seats. Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said many in the party had objected to the alliance, but it was pursued 'in the national interest'. 'If elections are held again, whether due to dissolution of the assembly or restoration of statehood, we will contest on our own,' Mir said. There is speculation Centre may restore statehood in coming months on the condition of holding fresh elections. Congress has criticised the delay, despite repeated promises from PM Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. 'On the day Article 370 was abrogated, I stood up in Parliament and opposed it,' said Syed Naseer Hussain, newly appointed AICC in-charge for J&K. 'They promised statehood. Why haven't they delivered?' Hussain drew a comparison between J&K and his native Karnataka, where large regions receive targeted development aid under with Article 371. 'That shows special constitutional provisions are not unique to J&K,' he said, adding that policy inconsistency has hurt the region. 'Once we form a govt on our own, those inconsistencies will end.' He urged party workers to prepare for upcoming Panchayati Raj and district council polls, expected after the Amarnath Yatra (July 3 to Aug 9). 'Youths will be given fair opportunities,' Hussain said.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
U'khand cabinet clears new rules for spl edu, sanitation
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand cabinet, chaired by chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday, approved key policy decisions across education, sanitation, legislative affairs and rural governance. The cabinet granted approval to the Uttarakhand Special Education Teacher Service Rules, which formalises the recruitment and service structure for 135 posts of special education teachers. The decision follows a directive issued by the Uttarakhand high court on March 7. In another major decision, the cabinet authorised the Panchayati Raj department to implement the Swachh Bharat Mission (gramin) phase III in the state. The department will officially take over as the nodal agency from April 1, 2026, for executing all key components under the rural sanitation programme. The cabinet also approved convening the monsoon session (second) of the fifth Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly in 2025. Dhami was authorised to finalise the session's date and venue. Additionally, a cabinet sub-committee reviewed the report submitted by the Single-Member Dedicated Commission on Panchayati Raj governance reforms. Its recommendations and suggestions were tabled before the full cabinet during the meeting.
