National desk
19 September
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
The path has been cleared for the upcoming panchayat elections in Punjab, which are expected to be held before October 20. A notification from the Rural Development and Panchayat Department is set to be issued shortly. This notification will be sent to the Punjab State Election Commission, which will then release the official schedule for the elections. According to sources, the elections may be held on October 13.
Recently, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats forwarded the election file to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office, where it received approval. The Punjab Governor had already given the green light to amendments made to the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994, which includes provisions for reservation of Sarpanches. On September 16, the Department of Legal and Legislative Affairs also issued a notification related to these amendments.
With the formal process initiated by the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, it is confirmed that the elections will take place before October 20. The official dates are expected to be announced shortly.