Panchayat elections to be held on scheduled time in Odisha: Minister

Odisha government will conduct the panchayat elections within the stipulated timeline, and preparations are already underway, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik said on Wednesday. He stated that the department concerned has initiated the process, and final data will be provided after the completion of the new census.

Also Read: Odisha to complete panchayat delimitation process by December: Revenue Minister

The Minister clarified that restructuring of panchayats is barely necessary, but the process is currently on hold. Once the new census is completed, the panchayat reorganisation and delimitation process will formally resume. He added that two departmental meetings have already been held in this regard.

According to the Minister, the Panchayati Raj Department is receiving multiple petitions and proposals from different regions, with local representatives submitting suggestions after defining their respective area boundaries. All such proposals and objections thereto will be examined and considered during the restructuring process, he assured.

“We had twice discussed what can be done with regard to the delimitation of panchayats and blocks. The proposal should have been brought to the attention of the Chief Minister. However, after the new census SIR (Special Intensive Revision) started, we have now put the delimitation process on hold,” the Panchayati Raj Minister said.

“People are submitting their suggestions and objections by writing to the department. We will consider those suggestions and objections for delimitation,” the Minister stated.

Worth mentioning, preparatory work for the delimitation of blocks, tehsils, and panchayats was underway. The State government had plans to finalise all necessary restructuring — including creating new administrative units and splitting large blocks — before the census begins, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari had expressed earlier.

“The Boundary Change Proceedings (BCP) will be halted once the census begins. Creation of new revenue villages is also done through BCP. Hence, we have to finish the task within the available time. The process to delimit large panchayats and large blocks is underway now,” the Revenue Minister had informed mediapersons.