Panchayat polls in Kalimpong: the expectations and the apprehensions

YOWAN MOTHAY, EOI, KALIMPONG, JUNE 22, 2023 : The panchayat elections coming to the hills after a gap of 23 years has caused great enthusiasm in Kalimpong district among the candidates and the common people alike. 

Development has suffered in several areas which are under the jurisdiction of the panchayats, including agriculture, social forestry, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry and fish farming, rural hygiene and environment, rural housing, drinking water, roads and bridges and health and education projects.

All these areas are at a standstill in the absence of elected panchayats. Many panchayat offices are lying vacant as appointments have not taken place. People are curious, too, how far the panchyats would be able to solve their problems.

There are apprehensions, too. After a long inaction of more than two decades, it will be a big challenge to put the panchayat system back on track. It will also take time for the elected representatives to understand their jurisdiction and capacity. It will be a challenge to ensure transparency and accountability in the execution of developmental work. 

The main duty of the elected representatives, they say, will be to take care of the security and welfare of the deprived sections of the society, including the scheduled tribes and the scheduled castes. ——