Lok Sabha Question No. 196 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Panchayat Elections in Darjeeling
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 196

ANSWERED ON-02.02.2021

## PANCHAYAT ELECTIONS IN DARJEELING

196. SHRI RAJU BISTA:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  last  Panchayat  elections  in  Darjeeling  and Kalimpong hills, were held in 2001 and no elections to panchayats have been held since then, if  so,  the  reasons  for  which  the  Panchayat  elections  have  not  been  held  in  Darjeeling  and Kalimpong hills;
- (b) the details of funds allocated for Panchayat in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts since 2011 and reasons for additional allocation or reduction in funds if any;
- (c) whether the Government is aware that the Panchayat term in Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad areas under Darjeeling district in West Bengal has ended in November 2020 itself, but no fresh panchayat elections have been held ever since;
- (d)  the  details  of  agency/agencies  which  are  implementing  development  projects  in  the panchayat areas in the absence of elected panchayat structure in the entire Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts; and
- (e) the details of data on the projects that are pending or could not be implemented due to absence of Panchayat System?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a) Yes, Sir. However, Article 243K of the Constitution of India vests the responsibility of superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats in a State Election Commission consisting of a State Election Commissioner to be appointed by the Governor. Ministry of Panchayati Raj regularly advises States for holding regular and timely elections to Panchayats.

(b) The Government of West Bengal has informed that development programmes in Darjeeling and Kalimpong hill areas are being undertaken by the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).  Block  Development  Officers  are  implementing  programmes  in  absence  of  elected bodies  in  Panchayats.  No  funds  are  allocated  to  Panchayats  in  those  areas.  Funds  under National  Social  Assistance  Programme (NSAP),  wage  component  of  Mahatma  Gandhi National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act  2005  (MGNREGA)  are  being  sent  to  the beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Fund Transfer Orders (FTOs) for materials components are prepared by the concerned Block Development Officer and payment made directly to the agencies. (c) Yes, Sir. (d) The Government of West Bengal has informed that one State Government Officer has been appointed in each Panchayat body for day-to-day functioning of the Panchayat. Grassroots

level schemes are being implemented through existing office set-up in such cases.

(e) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of State list of Seventh Schedule  of  Constitution  of  India.  Such  details  are  not  maintained  by  the  Ministry  of Panchayati Raj.

***