Punjab sarpanches, panches now need govt nod to fly abroad

To ensure development works in their panchayats are not affected during their absence, sarpanches and panches in Punjab will now be required to take prior approval from the state government before travelling abroad.

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats has introduced new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for elected panchayat representatives, making it mandatory for them to seek leave sanction before leaving the country.

The provision of “Ex-India Leave”, which was earlier applicable only to government employees and MLAs, has now been extended to sarpanches and panches as well.

In a letter issued to all Additional Deputy Commissioners and District Development and Panchayat Officers (DDPOs), the Director of Rural Development and Panchayats has listed the SOPs to be followed whenever a sarpanch or a panch undertook a private foreign visit.

Sources said the government had taken the decision following reports that rural development often got stalled when representatives of panchayati raj bodies flew abroad, mostly in winter, to visit relatives or for some other work.

Ensuring uninterrupted rural development

The absence of sarpanches and panches has been cited as the reason for rural works getting hampered

Even issuance of caste, income and other certificates gets delayed as these require signatures of panchayat representatives

Sarpanches and panches will have to submit leave application to BDPOs a month before departure

The absence of sarpanches and panches affected not only routine development works, but also the issuance of various certificates, including of caste and income, which required their signatures, said an official. At present, there are 13,238 sarpanches and 83,437 panchayat members in the state.

Maninder Singh, district president of the Sangrur Sarpanch Union, called it a step in the right direction. “If there is another person officiating as a sarpanch or a panch, villagers will not face difficulty in getting their routine work done,” he said.

According to the letter, the competent authority to approve the “Ex-India Leave” for sarpanches and panches will be the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO). Under normal circumstances, the leave application will have to be submitted a month before the proposed departure. If a sarpanch travels abroad, a panch will be appointed to officiate on the post under Section 20(5) of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.

Upon returning, the sarpanch or panch will be required to submit an attendance report to the competent authority, following which the elected representative will resume charge of the panchayat. The letter also states that if a sarpanch or panch wishes to extend leave while abroad, an application must be forwarded to the BDPO through email or phone.