Punjab Govt Reverses Decision to Dissolve Panchayats, Informs High Court

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has formally withdrawn its decision to dissolve panchayats across the state. This reversal was communicated to the Punjab Haryana High Court, marking a pivotal development in the ongoing legal proceedings. Consequently, the restoration of panchayats is anticipated, with an official notification from the Punjab government expected to be issued imminently.

The decision to dissolve panchayats had previously drawn legal challenge, prompting a petition to be filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The petition sought the annulment of the notification issued on August 10, which was deemed as legally untenable, arbitrary, and in violation of principles of natural justice.

The petitioners contended that the untimely dissolution of all panchayats in Punjab ran contrary to the tenure of elected representatives. In January 2019, the petitioners had emerged victorious in the Sarpanch election and subsequently assumed their responsibilities. Their tenure was duly scheduled to extend until January 2024.

Today, the matter was taken up for a hearing in the Punjab Haryana High Court, during which the government's decision to withdraw the dissolution of panchayats was disclosed. This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for the state's local governance structure, reinstating the elected representatives and resuming the regular functioning of the panchayats.