Special Administrators to Govern Mandal and District Parishads, Special Administrators to Govern Mandal and Zilla Parishads in Telangana
The stage is set for special administrators to take charge of Mandal and District Parishads in the state, similar to the governance structure of Gram Panchayats. With the terms of Mandal Parishad Presidents (MPPs) and Zilla Parishad Chairpersons ending on July 3 and 4, special administrators are poised to be appointed in their place.
Collectors and District-Level Officials to Take Over
The state government is preparing to issue orders within a day or two, appointing district collectors as special administrators for Zilla Parishads and district-level officials for Mandal Parishads. In May 2019, elections were held for 539 Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituencies (ZPTCs) and 5,817 Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituencies (MPTCs). Administrative bodies for Mandal Parishads were established on July 3 of the same year, with the election of presidents, vice-presidents, and members. On July 4, 28 Zilla Parishads saw the swearing-in of their chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and members, followed by similar ceremonies for Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Khammam, and Bhadradri Kothagudem Zilla Parishads on August 7.
Government Delays Elections, Opts for Special Administrators
Due to issues related to BC reservations, the state government has already postponed Gram Panchayat elections. Now, it has decided to delay the elections for ZPTCs, MPTCs, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, and MPPs, opting instead to appoint special administrators. The Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department has prepared a list, which has been sent to the state government for approval. Once approved, orders will be issued, and district-level officials will assume their roles as special administrators for Mandal Parishads starting July 4. District collectors will take over as special administrators for 28 Zilla Parishads on July 5 and for the Zilla Parishads of Mulugu, Mahabubabad, Khammam, and Bhadradri Kothagudem on August 7.
Special Administrators in Panchayats Since February
In January, the terms of Sarpanches in 12,769 Gram Panchayats ended, leading to the appointment of special administrators starting in February. Gazetted officers were assigned to these positions. With the upcoming appointments of special administrators for Mandal and District Parishads, all local bodies in the state will be under administrative control. The government has the authority to extend the tenure of these special administrators for up to six months, meaning their governance could continue in Gram Panchayats until July. There is also the possibility of extending their tenure for another six months.
Decisions on BC Reservations Pending
The state government has tied the elections to the issue of BC reservations and plans to make decisions based on caste enumeration. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy announced that a new BC Commission will be formed after the term of the current commission ends in August. This commission will conduct a caste enumeration, a process expected to continue until December. Consequently, elections for Gram Panchayats will not be held until this process is completed. Meanwhile, the tenure of special administrators for Mandal and District Parishads will last until December, allowing for the potential establishment of new administrative bodies in 2025 if elections are held on schedule.
