Punjab Government Amends Panchayati Raj Act Schedule for Village Entries

The Government of Punjab, through its Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, issued a significant notification on September 20, 2024, which came into force upon its publication in the Punjab Government Gazette Extraordinary on September 24, 2024. This notification, bearing No. DP-GP/S.A.S.Nagar/M/2024/6062, introduced amendments to the Schedule appended to a previous notification, No. D.P.R.A/Ss 3, 4 and 10/P.A9/94/2012/3906, dated December 4, 2012. The amendment was made in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) of section 3, sub-section (1) of section 4, and sub-section (2) of section 10 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 (Punjab Act No. 9 of 1994), along with other enabling powers. The primary change involved the reorganisation of entries pertaining to specific villages within the administrative framework of the Panchayati Raj system.

Specifically, the amendment directed the deletion of the entry for "village Boorana (327)" from serial number 77, column 2, of the existing schedule. Concurrently, a new entry was substituted at serial number 52, column 2, which now includes "(i) Kubaheri (323)" and "(ii) Boorana (327)". This modification directly impacts the administrative classification and listing of these villages under the state's local self-governance structure. The legislation provided: “Entry at serial number 77 column 2" (iii) village Boorana (327)" shall be deleted and following entry at serial No. 52 column 2 shall be substituted with following entry:- (i) Kubaheri (323). (ii) Boorana (327)”.

The legislative intent behind such an amendment is to ensure the accuracy and currency of the administrative records that underpin the functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in Punjab. The Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, serves as the foundational statute for local self-governance in rural areas, establishing the framework for Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads. The earlier legal position, as reflected in the 2012 notification, contained a schedule of villages that required updating. This amendment addresses potential statutory gaps or issues related to the precise listing and categorisation of villages, which are crucial for the effective demarcation of electoral wards, allocation of resources, and implementation of development schemes at the grassroots level. By amending the schedule, the government aims to maintain the integrity and operational efficiency of the local governance structure, ensuring that administrative boundaries and classifications align with current realities or policy decisions. This process of updating delegated legislation, such as schedules appended to notifications, is a routine mechanism to keep the statutory framework responsive to evolving administrative needs without necessitating amendments to the principal Act itself.

Keywords: Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, Rural Development, Panchayats, Village Boorana, Village Kubaheri, Legislative Amendment, Government Notification, Punjab Gazette Geo Tags: India, Punjab District: Not Applicable