HC suspends G.O. on transfer of panchayat secretaries’ functions

‘Order is against the intent of the institution of self-government’

A single judge bench of the High Court comprising Justice B. Devanand issued an interim order placing G.O. Ms. No. 2 under suspension and posted the matter for next hearing after four weeks. Through the G.O. the government sought to transfer certain executive and administrative functions of the panchayat secretaries to village revenue officers (VROs). Justice Devanand said the court was of the prima facie consideration that the impugned G.O. is against the intent of the ‘institution of self-government’ enshrined in Article 243 of the Constitution and that sarpanches would become puppets in the hands of the government as the G.O. leaves them with no powers. The G.O. is also against the Directive Principles contained in Article 40, the judge observed, while insisting that the proposed transfer of powers to VROs amounts to government’s interference in the village administration, which is against the spirit of Gram Swaraj.