The Rajasthan government has finalised a new formula for panchayat and local body elections across the state. The Panchayati Raj Department has issued district-wise guidelines to all collectors. These rules will govern ward formation in over 14,000 gram panchayats, 450 panchayat samitis, and 41 district councils.
The move follows a court directive that requires local body elections to conclude by April 15. Officials will soon begin ward delimitation under the revised population-based norms.
Under the new formula, a gram panchayat with a population of 3,000 will have seven wards. Authorities will add two more wards for every additional 1,000 people. This means a village with 4,000 residents will have nine wards.
For panchayat samitis, 15 wards will apply to populations up to one lakh. Every extra 15,000 residents will add two wards. District councils will start with 17 wards for four lakh people, with two more wards for each additional lakh.
Jaipur district now has 596 gram panchayats after recent restructuring. Meanwhile, distance-related disputes have emerged in some regions. Villagers in parts of Nagaur report travelling up to 60 kilometres to reach panchayat offices.
