Panchayat poll winners get 6 months for filing caste docs

Maharashtra cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to give six-month time to candidates for submitting caste validity certificates for contesting the gram panchayat elections.

According to officials, the caste validation committees have tremendous work burden and it is not possible to provide the certificates for aspiring candidates in the stipulated time frame.

The Maharashtra Gram Panchayat Act will be amended so that aspiring candidates are not prevented from contesting the panchayat polls.

While filing their nomination papers, candidates will have to provide a proof of having submitted their caste validity application to the committee, with an affidavit that they would submit the certificate within six months of winning the polls, they said. The decision will benefit candidates planning to contest in over 7,000 gram panchayats, that will go to polls next month.

The cabinet also reviewed crop sowing situation in the state.

Maharashtra has received an average of 89 per cent rainfall.