New order of the Mann government for Panches and Sarpanches; permission required to fly abroad

November 13, 2025

The Punjab government has introduced a new policy to accelerate the development of villages. Under this policy, the sarpanch and panch of the villages will not be able to go abroad without permission. Sarpanchs and panchs will have to obtain permission from the relevant authorities before going abroad, just as government employees and officials do when taking leave.

The Rural Development and Panchayat Department of Punjab has issued a letter to all the District Development and Panchayat Officers of Punjab as well as Additional Deputy Commissioners.

According to the letter, when the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj units go abroad, the development work of the villages is affected, due to which it will be mandatory to take permission before going abroad.

There are currently 13,238 sarpanchs and 83,437 panchayat members in the entire Punjab. Out of which, the majority of the sons and daughters of sarpanchs and panchs are abroad, and their parents are in regular contact. For the first time, the Panchayat Department has made such a policy under which leave for Sarpanches and Panches to go abroad has been declared mandatory. It is not yet clear whether it will be mandatory for the Block Samiti and Zila Parishad chairmen or members to take leave first or not.

Appointment of authorised Panch

According to the policy of the department, if the Sarpanch goes abroad, then in his absence, an authorized Panch will be selected as per Section 20(5) of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act-1994. The Sarpanch will submit the Panchayat record to the Panchayat Secretary, who will then hand it over to the authorized Panch. After returning from abroad, the Sarpanch or Panch will have to submit his attendance report to the competent authority, and after that, he will resume the charge of the Panchayat.

The letter also states that if a Sarpanch or Panch who has gone abroad wants to extend his leave, he will send an application to the Block Development and Panchayat Officer via email or phone.