CM KCR plans to hold gram panchayat elections in Feb

Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has decided to hold local body elections in the last week of February and also plans to increase the number of panchayats from existing 8,684 to more than 12,000. Sources said the CM wants to test the political waters through local body polls before the 2019 general elections.

“The CM wanted to pose a challenge to the Opposition by holding the local body polls in Feb. The elections will reveal the political situation in the state and the government will also get sufficient time to make course correction before the general elections,” said a minister who was privy to the



information.

On Tuesday, the CM also decided to distribute new passbooks to 71 lakh farmers on auspicious Dasami day on March 11, while the budget session would be held from March 12. The CM also directed all public representatives to participate in the programme for which a nodal officer would be appointed. Addressing the collectors’ meet on Tuesday, the CM said, “Panchayat raj polls should take place compulsorily. 

Geographical boundaries should be fixed based on the reports sent by the district panchayat raj officers for the formation of gram panchayats. The Constitutions also stipulates this.”