Ranchi, Oct 29: Promising to adhere to the Jharkhand High Court's deadline of March 31 for holding panchayat elections in the state, Panchayatraj Minister Madhu Koda today asked the opposition, particularly the left parties, to give up their "negative propaganda" on the issue. Pointing that the Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Bill, 2003 has been sent to the governor for his assent, the minister told pti that he would meet the State Election Commission this week and discuss in detail about the conducting of the elections.
''We have already placed orders for election materials and the appointment of 10,000 teachers on November 15 would boost our staff strength for the polls,'' he said.
He said the government was keen on strengthening the security so that the people could vote fearlessly.
Koda was reacting to comments of CPI(ML) state secretary Shubendu Sen that the government had no intention to hold the polls before the general elections and would also miss the high court deadline.
The Chief Minister had also failed to keep his promise made in the assembly on October 10 that he would announce date for panchayat elections within a fortnight, Sen told reporters earlier in the day.
Emphasising that the polls would be held in a phased manner, the minister said all buildings housing panchayati offices were being renovated and after the elections the winners would be given a 15-day training on the three-tier system.
On the ongoing five-year Chief Minister Gramsetu Yozana, he said out of 4227 small and medium bridges, 1200 had been completed and the rest would be completed within the given target.
Bureau Report