Poonch, July 23: District administration in Poonch has taken exception to representing of proxies, mainly male family members, in place of elected female representatives including Sarpanches, Panches and BDCs etc in official business and functions and ordered lodging FIR against ‘defaulters’.   

“It has come into notice of undersigned that most of the female elected representative viz. Sarpanches/Panches/BDCs etc in CD Block Mendhar, Mankote and Balakote are represented by their kin viz. husband/brother/father in law/father etc in official business/functions/matters/meetings which is a gross violation of Panchayati Raj Act and Female reservation rules,” reads an order by Mohd Jhangir Khan (JKAS) Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar.

“It is as such order that no proxy candidate should be allowed by any officer/official to represent the elected female representative in official business at any cost,” the order said, adding, “In case, any such incident is found, FIR be immediately lodged against the defaulters under an intimation to this office.” gns