Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Jan 31,
With the tenure of elected Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) ending on January 31, 2026, thousands of residents across Himachal Pradesh will now be served by government-appointed committees instead of their elected local representatives. The state government has ordered the constitution of official committees to run Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads until fresh elections are held.
According to a notification issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh Department of Panchayati Raj, the terms of existing elected representatives across the state have expired, and elections to reconstitute these bodies could not be conducted due to the application of provisions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
As a result, these PRIs are deemed dissolved on expiry of their duration under Sections 120 and 128 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.
Who will run the Panchayats now
The Governor has approved the formation of administrative committees to exercise powers and perform functions of PRIs:
For Gram Panchayats
- Block Development Officer (BDO): Chairperson
- Panchayat Secretary: Member Secretary
For Panchayat Samitis
- Chief Executive Officer, Panchayat Samiti: Chairperson
- Social Education & Block Planning Officer (SEBPO): Member
- Panchayat Inspector/Sub-Inspector: Member Secretary
(If posts are vacant, officials will be nominated by the BDO.)
For Zila Parishads
- Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad: Chairperson
- District Development Officer: Member
- District Panchayat Officer: Member Secretary
Financial Powers
For handling Central Finance Commission grants, the Member Secretary will act as the “Maker” and the Committee Chairperson as the “Checker” for financial transactions related to respective Panchayats.
Why it matters
The decision directly affects grassroots governance across rural Himachal Pradesh, where Panchayats play a key role in development works, welfare delivery, and local dispute resolution. With elected bodies no longer in place, administrative officers will temporarily handle decision-making and fund management until elections are conducted.
The notification has been circulated to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments, Deputy Commissioners, District Panchayat Officers, Block Development Officers, and for publication in the e-Gazette.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
