NAWANSHEHAR: OverOne-third of the panchayats in the district have been elected unanimously. According to an official
release, out of the total 451 panchayats, 160 have been elected unopposed. This includes 51 panchayats in Balachaur block, 42 in Saroya block, 22 in Aur block, 19 in Banga block and 26 in Nawanshahr block.

As per sources, in the last panchayat polls, only 91 panchayats were elected unanimously. Each of these panchayats would get a special grant of Rs three lakh for development works from the government. According to an ex-sarpanch of one such village, “there is now a growing realization among the villagers that only unanimously elected panchayats can bring about
developmental activities in the villages”.