CHANDIGARH – In a move to align local governance with shifting administrative boundaries and bolster flood defences, the Punjab Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved a series of landmark amendments to the state’s Panchayati Raj framework on Friday.
The Cabinet has greenlit significant changes to the reservation rosters for nine districts and authorized a self-service desilting model for farmers living along the state’s most flood-prone rivers.
Administrative Realignment: The Panchayati Raj Shift
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the Cabinet has officially amended the rules of The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. The decision addresses a long-standing logistical hurdle: how to maintain fair representation when the geographical boundaries of districts, tehsils, or blocks change.
Key Highlights:
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District Impact: Updated reservation rosters have been approved for six primary districts: Mohali, Patiala, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Malerkotla, and Sangrur.
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Legal Flexibility: The amendment ensures that if a district’s boundary expands or contracts, the reservation for Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads can be adjusted accordingly to reflect the current population and geography.
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Public Feedback: In a bid for transparency, the government has opened a 10-day window for citizens to submit objections or feedback regarding the new rosters before they are finalized.
Flood Mitigation: New Desilting Rights for Farmers
With an eye on preventing the devastating “flood-like situations” that have plagued Punjab in recent years, the Cabinet sanctioned urgent desilting operations at nine strategic locations along the Sutlej and Ghaggar rivers.
Empowering the Local Community
In a departure from traditional state-led dredging, the government will now allow farmers whose lands border these rivers to manage desilting themselves.
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Priority Areas: Operations will focus on Harsha Bela (Ropar), Mandala Tajobal, Barhakali Raun, Ruknewala, Khairhabal, and Dera Bassi.
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The Proviso: While farmers are encouraged to undertake desilting at their own level to protect their crops and property, they must secure prior administrative approval to ensure compliance with environmental and safety protocols.
Political Friction: Cheema Takes Aim at Raghav Chadha
The post-Cabinet briefing took a sharp political turn when Finance Minister Cheema was questioned about the absence or status of Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha.
Cheema’s response was pointed, reflecting potential shifts in the party’s internal climate. “The public generally does not look kindly upon those who turn their backs and flee,” Cheema remarked, a statement widely interpreted as a critique of the MP’s recent visibility during state challenges.
At a Glance: Cabinet Decisions
| Category | Action Taken |
| Legislation | Amended Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 |
| Governance | New reservation rosters for 6 major districts |
| Public Input | 10-day window for roster objections |
| Environment | Desilting approved at 9 sites along Sutlej & Ghaggar |
| Agriculture | Farmers permitted to desilt private land (with approval) |
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