IEP Chandigarh, November 18
Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the commission has received few complaints regarding forged/fake educational certificates of newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs. This is in regards to the panchs and sarpanchs elected during the General Elections 2022 of Panchayati Raj Institutions conducted by the State Election Commission in 18 districts.The State Election Commission has directed all the District Deputy Commissioners and District Election Officers (Panchayat) to take necessary action in this regard.Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the information about the complaints received by the Commission has been sent to the concerned Deputy Commissioners of all 18 districts except Faridabad, Fatehabad, Hisar and Palwal where elections are yet to be held and they have been directed to investigate them in the district.He further said that the investigation will be carried out by any working IAS / HCS officer. If any panch or sarpanch is found ineligible after investigation, then action should be taken against him under sub-section (3) of section 51 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. According to this provision Sarpanch or Panch can be suspended or removed. Before taking this action, the Deputy Commissioner will have to give an opportunity of hearing to such Panchs/Sarpanchs.In the letter issued by the Commission, Sh. Dhanpat Singh has directed the Deputy Commissioners to inform the State Election Commission about the action taken on such matters.Any person who has any complaint in this regard should directly send it to the Deputy Commissioner of his concerned district.
