BDOs appointed as administrators of panchayats in Ladakh

Kargil, Jan 16: The administration of Union territory Ladakh has appointed Block Development Officers (BDOs) as administrators of panchayats.

The delegation of powers comes days after expiry of term of Panchayats came to an end. In an order issued by the Rural Development Department and Panchayat Raj, the UT administration has appointed Block Development Officers for running the affairs of Panchayat Halqas till the elections for Panchayat are held.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 9 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 (Act No. IX of 1989), the Administration of Union territory of Ladakh, hereby appoints the Block Development Officers (BDOS) as Administrators of the Panchayat Halgas, under their respective jurisdictions, for a period of six months w.e.f. 10.01.2024 or till the Sarpanches to the respective Panchayat Halqas are elected, whichever is earlier,” reads an order by the Rural Development Department and Panchayat Raj, Administration of UT, Ladakh.

Notably, the term of Panchayats members which include Panchs, Sarpanch and BDCs in Ladakh ended on January 9. The elections were held last time in 2018 when Ladakh was part of erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, the Ladakh administration has decided to go for delimitation exercise for Panchayat halqas before the conduct of Panchayat polls.