Haryana Passed ‘Right to Recall Panchayat Member’ Bill

The Haryana Government passed a bill to provide a right to recall an elected member of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on November 6, 2020. The bill seeks to recall the elected members if they fail to perform their duties well. The state government also provide 50% reservation to women in the PRIs.

Haryana’s Right to Recall Panchayat Member Bill

The Haryana Panchayati Raj (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala in the house. This bill allows to recall the village sarpanches, members of district-level zila parishads and block-level panchayat samitis if they fail to perform their duties. Thus the bill provides the power to remove the members of Panchayati Raj Institutions even before the end of their tenure. The bill also provide a reservation of 8% to the more disadvantaged among the Backward Classes.

How the members will be recalled?

50% members of a Gram Sabha or a ward will have to provide in writing in order to recall the members. They need to provide in writing that they want to initiate recall proceedings for the member. This would then be followed by a secret ballot in which there should 2/3rd of the total member votes against the member who will be recalled. It the voting criteria is fulfilled, the recalled member would be removed.

Aim of the bill

The bill is aimed at increasing the women participation in the Panchayati Raj Institutions. It  provides 50% reservation to women in gram panchayats, Zila Parishads and panchayat samitis. With this bill, the Panchayat members will be accountable to the voters as now they can be removed if they do not perform well.