However, this circular is limited to the current elections only, without mentioning the next District PanchayatTaluk Panchayat or Parliament Election. Despite this, there is confusion over the expenditure across the state as some district administrations have instructed GPs to collect food, power supply, fans, furniture, water, awning, toilet, for physically challenged persons, for election workers. Provide basic facilities like transport, voter assistance booths for polling stations in rural areas, but no funds have been provided to gram panchayats.
When STOI contacted the DCs of various districts, they said that the local administration should spend for the election preparation works and there is no provision from the Election Commission in this regard.
Kadashettihalli Satish, President of Karnataka State Gram Panchayat Members Federation said that usually DC/Tehsildar issues orders to make arrangements at rural booths but never reimburses the expenses to GPs. “Since election expenditure is not audited and is kept out of the RTI Act, GPs spend money from their own funds. Whenever some GP members object, the officials just show the DC/Tehsildar’s order and say they cannot question it as the election is of national importance.
Meanwhile, there is a heated discussion in the WhatsApp groups of RDPR officials in the state as to why they should spend money for gram panchayats.
Requesting anonymity, a rural development expert attached to the Abdul Nazir Saab State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in Mysuru remarked that the Election Commission says it releases funds to district administrations, but they go to village panchayats. never reach.
“Therefore, elections are a financial burden for GPs and a threat to decentralization of administration. The Deputy Commissioners and Tehsildars should be sensitized that the Gram Panchayats can cooperate but cannot follow their orders. If a Gram Panchayat refuses to spend money on any election, the DC/Tehsildar will take action against the PDO in the name of election.
Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Gurudutt Hegde said that there is no financial provision from the Election Commission for Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF). “The local bodies should use their funds for election work,” he said.
In response to an email query, the office of the CEC, Karnataka, has said that the gram panchayats do not have the provision to meet the election expenses. “The GP is directed to reimburse the expenses from the District Returning Officer/Tehsildar. Funds have been released to all District Returning Officers for election preparations and expenses.