Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape received a boost today as Lt Governor Manoj Sinha appointed former IAS officer Shantmanu to lead the state’s election machinery for local bodies. This key decision, formalized through a Raj Bhavan notification, signals the imminent return of panchayat elections in the region.
Invoking provisions of the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, Sinha designated Shantmanu for the State Election Commissioner role. The seasoned bureaucrat, who hung up his boots as Financial Commissioner last December, will hold office for five years or up to age 70. Detailed service rules will follow in subsequent notifications.
The post had been vacant since BR Sharma, a veteran 1984-batch officer, relinquished it last year. Shantmanu’s induction comes at a critical juncture, with over 4,000 panchayats operating without elected representatives since early 2024.
Back in late 2018, vibrant polls had installed around 30,000 panchayat members who served until their term expired on January 9, 2024. The dissolution led to administrative pauses in panchayat funds and functions, creating a governance vacuum at the village level.
Anticipation builds for fresh elections later this year, which could reinvigorate community-driven development. On the horizon, DDC terms conclude in early 2026, promising a comprehensive electoral calendar.
This appointment not only stabilizes the election framework but also reflects proactive governance amid Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving administrative setup post-reorganization.