In a major administrative overhaul, the Himachal Pradesh government officially dissolved all Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the state on January 31, 2026. This move follows the natural expiry of the five-year tenure of elected representatives, transitioning the state’s grassroots governance into a temporary bureaucratic setup.
Key Highlights of the Dissolution
The dissolution, mandated under Sections 120 and 128 of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, impacts thousands of local bodies.
- Scope: The order applies to the entire state, excluding tribal and specific subdivisions such as Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti), Pangi (Chamba), and four Gram Panchayats in Kullu district.
- Reason for Delay: While terms ended on schedule, fresh elections were deferred due to the ongoing application of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- Scale: Over 3,500 Gram Panchayats and approximately 55 lakh registered voters are affected by this shift in civic leadership.
Temporary Administrative Setup
To ensure that welfare delivery and development works remain uninterrupted, the Governor of Himachal Pradesh has constituted official committees to exercise the powers of the dissolved bodies.
- Gram Panchayats: Managed by a committee led by the Block Development Officer (BDO) as Chairperson and the Panchayat Secretary as Member Secretary.
- Panchayat Samitis: Headed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
- Zila Parishads: The CEO will serve as Chairperson, supported by the District Development Officer and the District Panchayat Officer.
For financial matters, including Central Finance Commission grants, the Chairperson will act as the “checker” while the Member Secretary functions as the “maker” to maintain transparency.
Political Reactions and Legal Mandate
The shift has sparked significant political debate. The BJP, led by senior leaders, has criticized the move, claiming it renders over 30,000 elected representatives ineffective and places local governance under “imposed” administrators.
However, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has already stepped in, directing the state government and the State Election Commission to complete the election process before April 30, 2026.
What’s Next for Voters?
- Voter Lists: The State Election Commission recently finalized voter lists for the majority of the 3,577 Gram Panchayats.
- New Rules: The government is considering new legal provisions, such as making individuals accused in drug cases ineligible to contest local polls.