Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 — Appointment of an Administrative Committee or Administrator on failure to elect members of Gram Panchayats and in other cases

Bare section text

Official Legislative Text

(1)(a) If the Deputy Commissioner is satisfied that a Gram Panchayat for a village or group of villages immediately after the establishment of such Gram Panchayat cannot be constituted by reason of--
1. (i)any difficulty in holding an election of the members of the Gram Panchayat; or
2. (ii)failure to elect such members at two successive elections held under section 17; or
3. (iii)any other sufficient reason whatsoever; or
4. (b)If at any general election to a Gram Panchayat, no member is elected or less than two-third of the total number of members are elected, the Deputy Commissioner shall, by notification either,--
  1. (i)appoint an Administrative Committee consisting of persons qualified to be elected, the number of such persons being equal to the number of members determined under section 17; or
  2. (ii)appoint an Administrator.
(2)The members of the Administrative Committee or the Administrator shall hold office for such period not exceeding six months as the Deputy Commissioner may specify in the notification under sub-section (1).
(3)On the appointment of an Administrative Committee or an Administrator under sub-section (1), the persons, if any, chosen as members of the Gram Panchayat before such appointment shall cease to be members of the Gram Panchayat and all the powers and duties of the Gram Panchayat shall be exercised and performed by such Administrative Committee or Administrator, as the case may be.
(4)The Administrative Committee or Administrator shall be deemed to be a duly constituted Gram Panchayat for the purpose of this Act, notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing provisions: Provided that if at any time after the appointment of the Administrative Committee or the Administrator under sub-section (1), the Deputy Commissioner is satisfied that there is no difficulty in duly constituting the Gram Panchayat by election of members, the Deputy Commissioner, may, notwithstanding that the term of office for which the members of the Administrative Committee or the Administrator had been appointed has not expired, direct by notification that the members of the Administrative Committee or the Administrator, as the case may be, shall cease to hold office with effect from such date as may be specified in such notification.

Educational Study Layer

Summary

The Deputy Commissioner can step in if a village council cannot be formed after two attempts at an election.
If a general election results in fewer than two thirds of the seats being filled, the Deputy Commissioner takes action.
The official can appoint either a single Administrator or a small Administrative Committee to run village affairs.
These temporary appointments can only last for a maximum of six months at a time.
If the Deputy Commissioner sees that a proper election has become possible, they can end the temporary appointment early.
While the Administrator or Committee is in charge, they have all the legal powers and duties of a regular elected council.

Practical examples

1After two elections in a row failed to produce a full council in Khongjom, the Deputy Commissioner appointed Mr. Lokesh as the Administrator for four months to handle local issues.

2In a small village, only half of the members were elected in 2024, so the Deputy Commissioner appointed an Administrative Committee of three people to oversee the village till new elections could be held.

FAQ

1. What happens if a Gram Panchayat cannot be constituted under the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act?

Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Deputy Commissioner can appoint an Administrative Committee or an Administrator to run the Panchayat.

2. How long can an appointed Administrator serve under the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act?

Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, the Administrator shall hold office for a period specified by the Deputy Commissioner, not exceeding six months.

3. What is the minimum number of elected members needed to avoid an Administrator under the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act?

Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, at least two thirds of the total number of members must be elected to avoid the appointment of an Administrator or Committee.

Practice Quiz

Q1.Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, what is the maximum duration for an appointed Administrative Committee?

Q2.According to Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, what occurs if less than two thirds of members are elected in a general election?

Q3.Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, what happens to members who were already elected if an Administrator is appointed?

Q4.Under Section 22 of The Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, can the Deputy Commissioner end an Administrator's term early?

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