Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Apr: The Congress party today strongly criticised the state government for failing to conduct elections to the district planning committees. In this regard, Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Chief Ganesh Godiyal has expressed his displeasure. In a statement issued today, Godiyal claimed that the BJP government in Uttarakhand is weakening the very foundation of democracy. Godiyal reminded that more than one and a half years have passed since the municipal elections and nine months since the panchayat elections, but the government is yet to initiate the process of electing district planning committees.
Godiyal described the undue delay as not merely administrative negligence but a clear violation of the Constitution. He pointed out that Article 243 ZD of the Constitution makes it mandatory for every state to constitute district planning committees to integrate the development plans of panchayats and municipalities and ensure balanced growth across districts.
Godiyal emphasised that the most serious concern is that without the formal constitution and election of these committees, district planning meetings have already been convened by ministers in charge. He said this entire process is not only against the rules but also a direct assault on democratic norms. According to him, it is evident that the government is deliberately sidelining elected representatives to retain administrative and political control in its own hands. He demanded that the government explain why elected representatives are being deprived of their rights and why district planning meetings have been held without a statutory committee. The absence of these committees, the Congress leader argued, has left development schemes in districts uncoordinated and misaligned with local needs, thereby affecting progress and excluding public participation in planning.
Godiyal demanded that the date for the election and formation of district planning committees be announced immediately. He has also sought a review of all district planning meetings held without statutory committees and insisted that elected representatives of panchayats and municipalities be given their constitutional rights. Godiyal said a transparent and accountable planning system must be implemented at the district level. He underlined that this demand is not limited to an election but is about ensuring the constitutional participation of elected representatives in development planning across the state.
