Haryana to award panchayats elected unanimously

CHANDIGARH: To promote "harmony and unity" Haryana government has decided to award up to Rs 11 lakh each to panchayats and other local bodies which are elected unanimously during the upcoming panchayat elections in the state.

The sum would be used for the development of the respective villages, an official spokesperson said here today.

Similarly, the government will award Rs five lakh each and Rs two lakh each respectively to Zila parishads and Panchayat Samitis elected unanimously, he added.

The decision to give away such rewards was taken because uncontested elections ensure harmony and unity in the society, apart from fewer conflicts, the spokesperson said.

It would also lead to lower election expenses, he added.

He said that in case only the sarpanch ( village head) is elected unanimously, Rs five lakh would be awarded, whereas Rs 50,000 would be given away to every panch (member) elected unanimously.