Srinagar,: The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Jammu and Kashmir, has issued a clarification over a fake government order being circulated on social media, which falsely claims that Panchayat elections in the Union Territory will be held after November 2025.
The fabricated document, titled “Conduct of Panchayat Elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir – Post November 2025”, and marked with Order No: 45-RD&PR of 2025 dated August 5, 2025, is being widely shared online.
Officials from the RDD&PR have confirmed that no such order has been issued by the department and have termed the circulating document as fake and misleading. They emphasized that only the State Election Commission has the authority to announce the schedule for Panchayat elections, and no official dates have been declared so far.
“The public is advised not to believe or spread such misinformation. Circulating forged government orders is a punishable offence under the IT Act and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code,” a senior official from the department stated.
The department has urged citizens to rely solely on official government platforms for authentic updates regarding elections or other administrative announcements. Action is being taken against those responsible for creating and distributing the fake document.
