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The voice of the people will be heard again

S. Nadarajan

Ongoing civic polls mark the revival of a democratically elected council

PONDICHERRY: The magnificent and elegant 19th century municipality building situated close to the sea will soon have elected representatives, marking the revival of a democratically elected council in the wake of the ongoing civic elections in the Union Territory.

For more than three decades, the municipalities and commune panchayats were manned by the bureaucracy. Special Officers stepped into the shoes of Mayors and took charge after the civic bodies, formed in 1968, completed their six-year term in 1974. (The French Decree of 1880 adopted a six-year term of office for Mayors, municipal councillors and commune panchayats unlike the present five-year term). Advisory councils were set up now and then to help the officers. The commune panchayats in Pondicherry and Karaikal would also have elected representatives, with the third and final phase of elections ending on July1. The first phase, covering Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam was conducted on June 24, while the second, covering Pondicherry and Oulgaret municipalities and Villianoor commune panchayat, would take place on Tuesday. The third phase of polls would be held in the remaining four commune panchayats of Ariyankuppam, Bahoor, Mannadipet and Nettapakkam.

No panchayat office

The commune panchayat councils would function from their premises. The village panchayats, however, do not have any building, as the panchayat system is a new concept in Pondicherry. Hence, leaders of voluntary organisations and champions of the system have urged the Government to allot places for the panchayats to enable them to conduct meetings.

In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in Pondicherry. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration. Pondicherry had four municipalities: Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. It rose to five when Oulgaret, which was among the 11 commune panchayats, was upgraded to municipality status.

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