Jaipur, May 23 (IANS) Rajasthan Minister for Local Self-Government Jhabar Singh Kharra on Saturday said the state government is fully prepared to conduct panchayat and urban local body elections in line with the Rajasthan High Court’s recent directions.

Kharra made the statement during the visit to Ajmer, where he laid the foundation stone for a convention centre near the Jhalkari Bai Memorial.

He said the government would extend full cooperation to the State Election Commission for holding the elections and assured that Ajmer’s development would not face any shortage of funds.

Speaking to the media, Kharra said the responsibility for implementing the High Court’s decision rests with the State Election Commission. He added that the government would fulfil every requirement sought by the Commission to ensure smooth conduct of the local body polls.

“The Election Commission has to study the High Court’s directions and proceed accordingly. The government is fully prepared to conduct the elections,” he said.

During the visit, Kharra, along with Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani, laid the foundation stone for a convention centre near the Science Park and Jhalkari Bai Memorial area. Union Minister of State for Agriculture Bhagirath Choudhary was also present.

Equipped with world-class facilities, this modern convention center will have a seating capacity for approximately 1400 people. The campus will feature a high-level cafeteria, extensive parking arrangements, well-organised internal roads, a modern drainage system, a sturdy boundary wall, and attractive landscaping, which will elevate Ajmer’s image of modernity and progress to new heights, Kharra said.

The Minister’s remarks came a day after the Rajasthan High Court ruled that Panchayat and urban local body elections cannot be delayed indefinitely.

The court extended the deadline for completing the election process until July 31, but made it clear that polls cannot be postponed merely due to the pending OBC Commission report.

The High Court also directed the State Election Commission to complete ward delimitation and voter list revision for urban local bodies by June 20.

It warned that officials would be held personally responsible for any further delays in voter list revision.

–IANS

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