Punjab Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2012: A step towards smooth rural development

Panchayati raj plays an important role in rural social and political life. During 2008 process of indirect election of village Sarpanch was followed which generated lot of factionalism and tension in villages of Punjab. Hundreds of cases of dispute were reported after election which necessitated a rethinking of this process. Consequently Punjab Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2012 was introduced and passed by the Punjab Assembly. This amendment would be helpful in reducing factionalism as now onwards there would be direct election of Sarpanch during the Panchayat election and the Sarpanch will be elected on the basis of his popularity among the villagers. The reduction of interference of bureaucracy and local political leaders in village life would save the countryside from un-begged alms of factionalism and achieving smooth rural development.