MAYA DEVI Vs. STATE OF H.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition has been filed by petitioner-Maya Devi, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Kapahra, and Vinay Kumar Sharma, Up-Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Kapahra, challenging the order, Annexure P-5, dated 6th/7/10/2020, issued by the Development Officer, Development Block Ghumarwin, District Bilaspur, conveying to the Secretaries of all the Gram Panchayats of Development Block Ghumarwin that if any one of them have inaugurated any project constructed at the Government expenses, they should remove the inauguration plaques before the elections of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

(2.) The learned counsel for the petitioner has invited the attention of the Court towards Annexure P-4, the circular issued by the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Himachal Pradesh on 18/9/2009, whereby all the District Panchayat Officers and the Block Development Officers as also the Deputy Commissioners in the State of Himachal Pradesh have been informed that it has been brought to the notice of the Department that the officer bearers of the Panchayati Raj Institutions are inaugurating the buildings and other development projects, which are constructed out of the Government funds, only with a view to avail the political mileage and the Government has, therefore, taken a decision to restrain all such activities.

(3.) The learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that subsequently, the new order has been issued on 6th /7/10/2020 (Annexure P-5) addressed to all the Panchayat Secretaries of Development Block Ghumarwin, District Bilaspur, on the premise that since the elections of the Gram Panchayats have to take place, no such inauguration should be carried out by the representatives of the Gram Panchayats concerned.