2 min readShimlaNov 25, 2025 10:58 AM IST
First published on: Nov 25, 2025 at 10:58 AM IST
Amid the ongoing tussle between the State Election Commissioner (SEC) and the Himachal Pradesh government over the delimitation of Gram Panchayats ahead of the upcoming Panchayat elections, the Cabinet headed by CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday approved the reorganisation and delimitation of Gram Panchayats across the state Himachal Pradesh.
Reorganisation of the panchayats is a process to restructure the boundaries, composition and functions of rural local self-government institutions to improve governance, ensure effective service delivery and adapt to changing demographics and administrative needs. The Cabinet decided that the process would begin from December 12, paving the way for the creation of new panchayats. This may push the Panchayat elections further ahead. The decisions were announced by ministers Jagat Singh Negi and Anirudh Singh after the Cabinet meeting, which discussed 64 agenda items.
Later, Revenue Minister Negi told The Indian Express, “Before taking the decision of reorganisation and delimitations of Gram Panchayats, we discussed an order issued by the State Election Commissioner barring the state government over the delimitation of Gram Panchayats.
The cabinet decided that reorganisation and delimitation of Gram Panchayats fall under the purview of the state government hence the government can take the decision on it. Apart from this, till the Disaster Management Act is implemented in the state, Gram Panchayat elections can’t be held. Notifications for the delimitation and reorganization of Panchayats will be issued shortly mentioning the time till the process will be completed.”
On November 17, the SEC invoked Clause 12.1 of the Model Code of Conduct, issuing instructions restraining the government from undertaking any delimitation exercise for Gram Panchayats or Urban Local Bodies. The directive was seen as a preventive measure against any last-minute administrative restructuring before the elections. The SEC directive came days after the Himachal Urban Local Department issued a notification proposing the delimitation of Nadaun and Una Municipal Committee on November 15.
The elections to over 3,500 gram panchayats in the state are slated for December 2025-January 2026. The last date for conducting the elections is January 23 and the SEC has set the process rolling by initiating the preparation of electoral rolls.
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. 
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