Candidates contesting Panchayat polls in Haryana must have minimum education: SC

In a judgment which could usher in reforms in grassroots democracy, the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld Constitutional validity of a Haryana law, requiring candidates in panchayat polls to have minimum educational qualification, to be free from debt and have toilet at home.

The Bench consisting of Justice Chelameswar and A.M.Sapre held that both the rights namely “Right to Vote” and “Right to Contest” are not fundamental Rights but only constitutional rights of the citizen. Find us on Facebook too!

The law fixes matriculation as minimum qualification for general candidates contesting Panchayat polls, while the qualification for women (general) and Scheduled Caste candidates has been fixed at Class VIII. However, the government’s decision was challenged before the Supreme Court, following which the court stayed the process in September. According to the programme, the panchayat polls were to be conducted in three phases – October 4, 11 and 18.

He said that other States would also follow the pattern of Haryana Panchayat Election.

The apex court had earlier said that fixing a minimum educational qualification to contest the elections would “straightaway” debar 50 percent Indians.

“We have serious doubts over educational qualification being made an eligibility criteria for contesting election”.

The petitioners said the provision disqualifying those who don’t repay farm loans was to keep out a large number of farmers.

He said that Haryana would be the first State in the Country to have educated panchayats.

The court agreed with a plea by Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi on behalf of Haryana government that the object of the law is to find “model representatives for local self-government for better administrative efficiency”.