Panchayat Poll: Harassment over issuance of NOC sparks allegations of bias

Candidates contesting the upcoming panchayat elections are facing significant difficulties in obtaining no-objection certificates (NOCs) due to alleged delays and politicisation. The NOCs, required to confirm that candidates have cleared their house tax dues and have not encroached on government land, are proving elusive, particularly for those not affiliated with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The elections are set for October 15, with the last day to file nominations on October 4.

Opposition candidates claim they are being subjected to undue harassment by officials in the offices of Panchayat Secretaries and Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs). They allege that the government machinery, under the influence of AAP MLAs and local leaders, is prioritising the issuance of NOCs to candidates backed by the AAP while others are forced to wait for hours.

Candidates from Chuheki, Bath, Talwan, Rajowal, Pharwala, and Bhode villages in Nurmahal block expressed frustration after waiting for several hours outside the Panchayat Secretary’s office without success. Congress’ Nurmahal block president Baljit Singh Johal accused the authorities of delivering NOCs directly to AAP-supported candidates, while opposition-backed candidates were deliberately delayed.

Further accusations were made by candidates from Sultanpur Lodhi village, where it was claimed that staff from the local AAP halqa in-charge had been stationed at the BDPO office. According to one candidate, those seeking NOCs were told to first meet with the halqa in-charge. Only after receiving clearance from him would their NOCs be processed. AAP leader Sajjan Singh Cheema reacted saying: “I have been convincing them all to go for unanimity. I have managed unanimity in 50 of nearly 200 panchayats of Sultanpur Lodhi.”

Congress MLAs Pargat Singh and Sukhwinder Kotli also voiced their concerns. Kotli, who was working in Haryana for the upcoming Assembly poll, reported receiving numerous calls from candidates facing obstacles in obtaining their NOCs. Despite efforts to contact local officials, including the Panchayat Secretary and BDPO East, no resolution had been achieved.

At the BDPO office in Jalandhar East, candidates reported long queues forming early in the morning as they attempted to submit their house tax dues and secure the necessary certificates. However, the BDPO arrived late after attending a meeting, causing further delays. Raj Kumar Jogi, BJP circle president of Talhan, described the scene as chaotic, with an overwhelming number of candidates making it difficult for the staff to manage the situation. The opposition parties continue to decry the alleged bias and demand immediate resolution to ensure a fair electoral process.

Meanwhile, Jalandhar ADC (D) Budhi Raj Singh said: “I have already instructed all BDPOs to ensure an unhindered issuance of the NOCs, provided the applicants are eligible. I have passed these instructions in a video conference held today.”