Chandigarh, April 7:

The Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Mr Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa today said the forthcoming elections of Panchyati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the state would be held under the existing act provisions, rules and regulations. He disclosed the delimitation of wards was in the final stage.

He said the proposal to prescribe matriculation as the minimum qualification and not more than 2-child norm on the Haryana pattern had been dropped for the time being as there was no consensus during extensive deliberations. He clarified exercise had been initiated to have broader discussion after this issue was taken up in the cabinet. It was after consulting experts and stakeholders in the PRIs poll that it had been decided to first create awareness on such vital issues.

He disclosed these elections would be held in two phases as earlier. Elections to the Block Samitis and Zila Parishads would be held in the first phase followed by that of Panchayat Panches and Sarpanches. The two phases would be separated by about a month.

He said 50 percent seats would be reserved for women as per the legislation adopted during the last Assembly session.