Punjab Governor Kataria gives assent to Punjab Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill; polls likely in Oct

PTC Web Desk: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has approved the Punjab Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2024, which was passed during the monsoon session of the state Assembly recently. With this approval, the traditional reservation system in panchayat elections has been reinstated, and elections for Panch and Sarpanch will no longer be held on party symbols. The state government is now considering holding the panchayat elections in mid-October, and the approval is expected to expedite the election process in 13,241 panchayats.

While presenting the Punjab Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill in the Punjab Assembly, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said "the purpose behind passing this legislation is to ensure that the Sarpanch represents the village and not a political party". He expressed hope that this change would reduce conflicts in villages. He also pointed out that even in the 2018 elections, no one contested the Panchayat elections on party symbols.

The Punjab Chief Minister had further announced that villages that unanimously elect their Sarpanch will be rewarded with Rs 5 lakh. In addition to this, other facilities, including stadiums, will be provided to such villages. CM Mann said consensus elections would save money for the people, as Sarpanch elections currently cost as much as Rs 40 lakh in some cases.