Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2023 Passed By Assam Assembly

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• Sep 14, 2023 | Dhupali Das

On the fourth day of the autumn session, the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Bill...

Digital Desk: On the fourth day of the autumn session, the Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the long-awaited Assam Panchayat (Amendment) Bill, 2023, by voice vote.

Earlier, the state cabinet approved amending certain provisions of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994.

The cabinet has proposed indirect elections for the post of president in Gaon Panchayat (GP) - a new (GP) president will be elected from among the 10 GP members.

Inclusion of political symbols in Zilla Parishad and Anchalik Panchayat elections, but no party symbols for candidates running in GP elections.

For the next two and a half years, no-confidence motions cannot be filed against the president and vice president of Gaon Panchayat (GP), Anchalik Panchayat (AP), and Zilla Parishad (ZP).

Reservation of seats for SC/ST by rotation in wards of GPs having more than 10% SC/ST population Constitution of Ward Sabha Categorization of districts to be on the basis of population density, and reorganization of GPs to be done accordingly.

The use of electronic voting machines in panchayat elections, as well as the formation of the District Delimitation Commission to determine the size of ZP, AP, and GP constituencies.

Disqualification of elected representatives of panchayats upon violation of the legal age of marriage, Disqualification of members of political parties due to anti-defection and audit of ZP accounts by the Accountant General of Assam For GP members: Matriculation (Class X Pass for SC/ST members); for AP/ZP members: Higher Secondary Pass (Matriculation for SC/ST).