The Election Commission has asked NITI Aayog not to hold special gram sabha in panchayats on this year's Republic Day in poll bound, UP, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa. The poll panel said, special meetings of panchayats can be organised in the poll bound states only after the assembly elections are over.<br/><br/> The commission observed that the Aayog should have taken its approval before writing to all Collectors, DMs, and DCs of the country regarding holding special gram sabha to outline priorities of citizens in every panchayat. It said, it came to know from CEO Goa that the Aayog is organising such meetings in every pachayat.

Election Commission has asked NITI Aayog not to hold gram sabhas' in five poll-bound states. It has criticized the Aayog for the move.<br/><br/>Earlier, the Aayog had asked district administration across the country to hold special gram sabha on Republic Day to prepare a blueprint for development for the coming years. <br/>