Punjab government dissolves all Panchayat Samitis, Zila Parishads and Gram Panchayats with immediate effect
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ August 11,2023
In a pre 2024 elections trial, the Punjab government has dissolved all the 13,000 plus panchayats in the state, paving the way for civic body elections, expected to be held in November.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department Financial Commissioner Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari has issued a notification under the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994, in this regard.
In a gazetted notification issued, “Under powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 209 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (Punjab Act 9 of 1994), and all other powers enabling him in this behalf, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to direct that the general election of the members of the (i) the Panchayat Samitis and the Zila Parishads, shall be held by the 25th November, 2023; and (ii) the Gram Panchayats, shall be held by the 31st December, 2023.”
As per the notification, the governor has authorised the director (rural development and panchayats)-cum-special secretary to appoint administrators from among junior engineers, social education and panchayat officers, village development officers and panchayat officers, subject to their availability, to perform all functions and exercise powers of the local bodies till new elected bodies assume office.
