Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta has issued the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2026, and also granted assent to the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Amendment Act, 2026. The new law introduces major changes to eligibility rules for contesting Panchayat polls in the state.
The ordinance has been promulgated under Article 213(1) of the Constitution as the Assembly is not currently in session. It amends provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. One key change includes inserting the term “daughter-in-law” after “son” in relevant clauses, thereby widening the scope of disqualification provisions. The ordinance has come into force with immediate effect.
A major provision of the amendment bars persons linked to cases involving “chitta” or synthetic drugs from contesting Panchayat polls. The decision comes amid increasing concern over drug abuse and its growing social impact in the state.
Under the amended provisions, any individual against whom a court has taken cognisance and framed charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, will be barred from contesting polls. If an elected representative is later charged in such cases, their membership will also stand terminated.
The amendment also disqualifies persons convicted in offences involving moral turpitude unless a period of six years has passed since their conviction.
Moreover, candidates whose family members are found to have encroached upon land belonging to government bodies, including Panchayats, municipalities or cooperative societies, will also face disqualification. Such disqualification will remain effective for six years from the date of eviction or removal of encroachment.
The Act defines “family member” broadly to include grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, spouse, son and unmarried daughter. The amendment bill was introduced during the Budget Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly and is being viewed as a significant step aimed at reducing criminal influence and drug-related involvement in grassroots governance.
Officials said the new provisions are intended to promote cleaner public representation and strengthen accountability within Panchayati Raj institutions across the state.
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