Punjab is buzzing with activity as the state celebrates the recent Panchayat elections, with notable attention on the tasks at hand for the newly-elected village leaders. On November 19, 2024, Punjab’s Public Works and Power Minister, S. Harbhajan Singh ETO, took center stage at the oath-taking ceremony for Panchs held at Mohali, urging all newly elected members to prioritize village development and unity over factional disputes.
Harbhajan Singh, representing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), underscored the significance of this electoral change, noting the shift to conduct Panchayat elections without the use of party symbols for the first time. He emphasized, "This approach aims to eliminate factionalism and direct attention to pressing community issues.” The elections saw significant participation, including the election of 50 percent women among the Panchs, highlighting progress toward gender representation.
At the ceremony, Singh reminded attendees of the responsibility bestowed upon them by their constituents. The phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword” rang true as he highlighted the power of their new roles. “The people have entrusted them with the power of the pen and seal, which brings with it great responsibility,” he stated, encouraging the leaders to use their authority wisely for the benefit of their respective villages.
Further reinforcing the importance of grassroots governance, Lok Sabha member from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Malvinder Singh Kang, spoke about the integral role of Panchayati Raj institutions. He compared the significance of the Gram Panchayat to the Parliament, acknowledging it as the smallest yet fundamental unit of democracy. Kang urged the Panchs to regard their roles as “glorious soldiers of democracy,” who must engage actively with their communities to promote development, sports facilities, schools, and charitable endeavors.
These sentiments were echoed by local MLAS, Kulwant Singh and Kuljit Singh Randhawa, who both emphasized the need to rise above party politics and factionalism. They encouraged collaboration not only among party leaders but also included all candidates who participated, regardless of the election outcome. The overarching message was clear: unity and community welfare must come first.
While the Mohali ceremony was certainly celebratory, another pressing concern highlighted on the same day involved the protection of local communities from the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) expansion surrounding the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary. During another press conference, BJP Punjab leader Vineet Joshi raised alarms about the potential hardships this proposal could create for over 200,000 residents of Nayagaon and surrounding areas, including the necessity for some properties to be demolished.
Joshi expressed discontent about the contradictory decisions made by provincial authorities, who had previously indicated the sufficiency of maintaining only 100 meters as the ESZ. He argued this new extension to three kilometers contradicted years of prior policies and would unfairly impact substantial segments of the local population who have legally built homes and businesses nearby.
His message was direct: “This single decision would deprive lakhs of lower-middle-class and poor people of their properties.” Given the history of these villages pre-dates the establishment of the wildlife sanctuary, Joshi called for the Punjab Cabinet to reject the ESZ proposal immediately, reaffirming the importance of protecting the rights of vulnerable communities against such expansions.
Meanwhile, the Panchayat elections also saw the administration of oaths for 1,653 new Panchayat members from various districts, including Faridkot, with the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, presiding over the event. Sandhwan called on these new leaders to utilize their mandates to enforce transparency and promote comprehensive village development.
He emphasized the importance of the Panchayat system as being at the heart of progress, urging the newly elected members to leverage the trust placed in them by the villagers for overall prosperity. “Your duty is to turn this rural government system from merely functional to truly exemplary, creating ‘Adarsh Villages’ as models of community living and effectiveness,” he stated.
The atmosphere among the newly elected officials was marked by optimism and responsibility, as they prepared to embrace their roles as community leaders. With both local governance and community activism highlighted prominently during these recent events, it’s clear Punjab is steering toward substantial grassroots engagement. The call for unity across the political spectrum may well serve to solidify the foundations of local governance, particularly as these leaders navigate the complex interactions between ecological conservation efforts and community welfare.
