Punjab: Newly elected sarpanches to take oath in Ludhiana on November 8
A total of 10,031 sarpanches from 19 districts will be sworn in during the event
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Government has completed all arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected sarpanches, scheduled for November 8 at Cycle Valley, Ludhiana. Spanning 40 acres, the event will feature extensive arrangements, including a large marquee, organised by the Rural Development and Panchayat Department. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal will also be attending the event. The government had earlier considered holding the ceremony at Sarabha village before settling on the current venue.
A total of 10,031 sarpanches from 19 districts will be sworn in during the event. However, the oath-taking for sarpanches from four districts, where byelections are ongoing, will be conducted at a later date. Meanwhile, panchayat members will be administered the oath in a separate, district-wise phase. High-level meetings are ongoing to ensure smooth execution of the event.
The Panchayat Department has distributed written forms to the sarpanches, asking them to specify their preferred language for the oath, with Punjabi among the options. Additionally, the department is coordinating travel arrangements, collecting information on whether sarpanches will arrive in private vehicles or require transportation arranged by the government.
The ceremony will see the presence of all Cabinet ministers, and security will be significantly heightened. During the previous Congress administration under Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, the swearing-in ceremony was held in Patiala, while the Akali-BJP government organised it in Bathinda.