## Policy Summary: Delimitation of Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis in Rajasthan
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Panchayati Raj's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 425, answered on July 22, 2025, regarding the delimitation of Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis in Rajasthan. The question raised concerns about Rajasthan missing the deadline of June 4, 2025, for finalizing delimitation, potential political interference, and the impact on Panchayat elections and the "One State, One Election" initiative.
The Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, clarified that Panchayats are a state subject under the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Article 243C1 empowers state legislatures to legislate on the composition of Panchayats, ensuring population-to-seat ratios are maintained across the state. Consequently, all matters related to Panchayats, including delimitation, fall under the purview of the respective State Government.
The Government of Rajasthan reported that while the initial deadline for finalizing delimitation proposals was June 4, 2025, the process is ongoing due to a large number of proposals being received from District Collectors. The State Government anticipates completing the finalization of proposals by August 15, 2025.
Regarding the "One State, One Election" initiative, the State Government indicated its exploration of this concept, as declared in its budget, but clarified that it is separate from the reorganisation/delimitation exercise.
Finally, the response addresses legal interventions, noting that approximately 250 Writ Petitions have been filed in the Jodhpur and Jaipur Benches of the Rajasthan High Court. The High Court has directed adherence to the guidelines issued by the Panchayati Raj Department of Rajasthan.
Key Entities Referenced
Panchayati Raj: A system of local self-government in India at the village or small community level.
Gram Panchayat: The basic village-level local government body in India.
Panchayat Samiti: A rural local government body at the intermediate level in India.
Rajasthan: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of missing the delimitation deadline.
Article 243C1 of the Constitution: A specific article within the Constitution of India that empowers the Legislature of a State to make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats
Rajasthan High Court: The High Court of the state of Rajasthan, which has influenced the delimitation process through legal interventions.
One State, One Election: A policy initiative or proposal related to holding simultaneous elections at the state and national levels in India.
Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India: Deals with the division of powers between the Union government and state governments.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATIRAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO– 425
ANSWEREDON- 22.07.2025
GRAM PANCHAYATAND PANCHAYATSAMITI DELIMITATION
425.SHRIRAHULKASWAN:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleasedtostate:
(a) whether it is a fact that Rajasthan missed the deadline June 4, 2025 for finalising
Gram Panchayat andPanchayat Samiti Delimitation,with over3,000 proposals, due to
political interference;
(b) if so, the reasons for these delays;
(c) the manner in which the Government proposes to complete the delimitation to
facilitate Panchayatelectionsandsupport “One State, One Election”;
(d) whether legal interventions, such as from the Rajasthan High Court, have
influencedthe process;
(e)whether corrective timelinesor coordinationmechanismsare beingset up; and
(f) if so, the detailed roadmapandexpectedcompletiondate?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FORPANCHAYATIRAJ
(PROF.S.P.SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) to (f) “Panchayat”,being “LocalGovernment”, isa Statesubject andpart of State List
of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through
the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the
provisions of the Constitution. Article 243C(1) of the Constitution empowers the Legislature
of a State to make provisions with respect tothe composition of Panchayats provided that the
ratio betweenthe populationof the territorial area of a Panchayat at any levelandthe number
of seats in such Panchayat to be filled by election shall, so far as practicable, be the same
throughout the State. Accordingly, all matters relating to Panchayats, including delimitation
of Panchayats,fall within the purviewof the StateGovernment concerned.
The Government of Rajasthan has informed that the date for finalization of the
proposal for reorganisation/delimitation of the Panchayati Raj Institutions at the State Level
was fixed from 21.05.2025 to 04.06.2025 but at present, it is under process as large number
of proposals for reorganisation/delimitations of PanchayatiRaj Institutions are being received
from the District Collectors and it is taking a lot of time to examine them. As per State
1Government, this work of finalizing the proposals is expected to be completed by 15th
August, 2025.
The State Government has also informed that it has declared in budget for
exploration of “One State, One Election” which has nothing to do with
reorganisation/delimitation.
Further, the State Government has informed that total 250 Writ Petitions filed in
Jodhpur and Jaipur Bench of Hon’ble High Court of Rajasthan, till date, wherein the Hon’ble
Court has directed only to follow the directions issued by the Panchayati Raj Department of
Rajasthan.
****
2