The two child norm and the minimum educational qualification criteria in the three tier Panchayati raj institutions is all set to change the face of the rural leadership in Uttarakhand.
According to a rough estimate almost 75 percent of the existing members of village Panchayats, Block Panchayats and district Panchayats have become ineligible to contest this time. A new and young leadership is likely to emerge from the elections this time.
Interestingly enough, the existing Panchayat representatives and those who are interested in the Panchayat politics have now started looking for options among the younger lot in their families.
The youngsters many of whom are studying in colleges or are preparing for the competitive examinations have started looking at the forthcoming Panchayat elections with interests. “The advantage with these youngsters is that apart from being educationally qualified, they are unmarried which makes them ideal candidates for Panchayat elections,’’ said Surendra Singh Rawat of Devrajkhal in Pauri district. Understanding the situation that things are relatively easy for them in absence of experienced leaders of rural areas, many youngsters have decided to take a plunge in panchayat elections this time. On social media platforms they have become suddenly became very active.
Robin Singh Rawat of Satpuli in Pauri said, “I am at present doing a diploma course in Hotel Management from Dehradun. Many of my friends are now planning to contest panchayat elections. Politics is a good profession.’’ Amendra Bisht, a district panchayat member from Jaunpur in Tehri district said the amendments in the Panchayati raj act has paved the way for change in the rural politics and a young leadership would emerge after the election.
After amendment in the Panchayati Raj act, a two child norm has been enforced for contesting the election.
Apart from it a minimum educational qualification clause has also been added. According to it the minimum educational qualification for contesting elections in for general category ( Male) has been kept class X while for the general category females and candidates belonging to SC and ST categories ( males) the minimum educational qualification is class VIII.