Ahead of Rajasthan Panchayat polls, the government is fast-tracking inaugurations of development projects. The code of conduct may be imposed after the reservation lottery on Sept 17-18.
The government will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development works worth crores before the code of conduct for Panchayat elections 2026.
The election schedule is likely to be announced after the reservation lottery on September 17-18, after which the code of conduct will be enforced.
The Rural Development Department has sought a list of eligible projects for inauguration and foundation stone laying from all Zila Parishads.
It has been made mandatory for projects to be 100% complete for inauguration and for a work order to be issued for foundation stone laying.
Rajasthan | With the upcoming Panchayati Raj institution elections in Rajasthan, political activities have intensified in the rural areas of the state. The state government is working on a strategy to strengthen its hold through ongoing development works in villages just before entering the electoral fray.
Before the official announcement of the election schedule by the State Election Commission and the implementation of the code of conduct, the government has sought detailed reports from all districts on all those development projects that can be inaugurated or for which foundation stones can be laid.
A Flurry of Development Before Elections
Following strict instructions from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) and the Planning Department, the Rural Development Department has issued orders to the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of all Zila Parishads.
These orders direct them to immediately send the list of eligible development works from their respective areas.
What is the Government's Election Strategy?
This entire exercise is being seen as a plan to present the government's work as a strong political agenda directly to the rural public before the 2026 Panchayat elections.
Based on the lists received from the district level, it will be decided which new projects will have their foundation stones laid and which completed schemes will be inaugurated by public representatives.
Timeline for Code of Conduct Implementation
Regarding the administrative timeline for the Panchayati Raj elections, the reservation lottery for Zila Parishad members, Pradhans, and Panchayat Samiti members will be held at the district level on September 17, 2026.
The very next day, on September 18, 2026, the process of the reservation lottery for the posts of Sarpanch and Ward Panch will be completed at the sub-division level.
Election Dates to be Announced Soon
As soon as the reservation process is complete, the State Election Commission can announce the dates for the Panchayat elections at any time.
With the announcement of the election schedule, the model code of conduct will be implemented in the state, after which there will be a complete ban on the announcement of any new scheme or inauguration/foundation stone laying. Keeping this deadline in mind, the government wants to complete the inauguration of all approved works before the code of conduct.
Strict Conditions for Inaugurations and Foundation Stones
To avoid controversies, strict guidelines have been set at the administrative level so that only genuine and compliant projects are launched. The format sent by the Rural Development Department to the Zila Parishads clearly instructs not to include any work in the list that could create controversy in the electoral atmosphere.
Condition for Inauguration: The concerned development work must be 100 percent complete. Also, the completion date of the work must be within the tenure of the current government.
Condition for Foundation Stone Laying: Only those works will be included in the list for foundation stone laying which have never had a foundation stone laid before.
Work Order Mandatory: A project's foundation stone will not be laid merely on the basis of administrative approval. It has been made mandatory for a work order to be issued after financial approval from the competent level.
List of Development Works Being Prepared in Districts
As soon as the government orders were received, district administrations started screening development works in their respective areas. Reports have started coming in from various districts.
The inauguration of 'Atal Path' is proposed in Gogunda of Udaipur district. Along with this, the remaining foundation stone laying works of the 'Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana' will be completed in 8 assembly constituencies of Udaipur.
Balotra District
In Balotra, inauguration programs for several new complexes and rural roads have been proposed under the Zila Parishad.
This sudden rush of inaugurations and foundation stone laying in the villages has raised hopes among the rural public for the acceleration of long-stalled development works. On the other hand, local leaders and prospective candidates have also increased their activity in their respective areas.
To strengthen their credibility in the 2026 Panchayati Raj elections, both the ruling party and the opposition are keeping a close watch on the details of these development works. After the reservation lottery on September 17 and 18, the electoral temperature in the state is very likely to rise further.
जोगेन्द्र सिंह शेखावत
