Punjab Newsline | Shimla
Ahead of the Panchayati Raj elections in Himachal Pradesh, a total of 128 gram panchayats have been elected unopposed across the state. The government has announced an incentive of ₹25 lakh for every unanimously elected panchayat to encourage consensus-based local governance.
With Friday marking the final day for withdrawal of nominations, the electoral picture has become clear in several districts. According to the latest figures, Shimla recorded the highest number of unopposed panchayats at 42. This was followed by 28 in Sirmaur, 18 in Kinnaur, and 12 in Solan.
In Bilaspur, only one panchayat was elected unanimously. Meanwhile, 27 panchayats from lower Himachal were also declared elected through mutual agreement and consensus.
Among these, Lahaul and Spiti accounted for the highest number with 17 panchayats, including 8 from Lahaul and 9 from Spiti. Other districts where consensus-based selections took place include Kullu with three panchayats, Chamba with one, Mandi with one, Kangra with one, and Una with five panchayats.
Several gram panchayats across the state saw unanimous selection of village representatives, including Nyoli, Shiyah and one panchayat in Ani block of Kullu district. Karwal panchayat in Salooni block of Chamba district and Golwan panchayat in Chauntra block of Mandi district were also declared elected unopposed.
In Una district, panchayats including Nichla Pandoga, Jakhewal, Bohru and Udaipur unanimously selected their pradhans, up-pradhans and ward representatives. Poona Binebal panchayat was also elected through consensus. In Kangra district, Bagli panchayat of Pragpur block was declared elected unopposed.
