The Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the implementation of the Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015.
The bill which was passed recently sets mandatory minimum qualification for candidates contesting Panchayati elections.
The stayed order was issued by a SC bench headed by Justice J Chelameswar on petitions challenging the validity of the Act. The SC bench also issued notices to the Haryana government and the State Election Commission seeking their response in 4 weeks.
Background
- Earlier in September 2015, Haryana legislative assembly had passed this amendment bill in order to improve the quality of leadership, accountability and governance in Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs).
- The amendment act has set mandatory minimum qualification of Class 10 pass for the men contesting in general category and Class 8 pass for women in general category. While women in the Scheduled Caste category need to be Class 5 pass to be eligible.
- Soon after the act got assent, state government had notified the changes in conditions of eligibility for panchyat elections on 8 September 2015, a day prior to the opening of nominations elections.