November 13, 2025
RED FM News Desk
To ensure that development work in their respective panchayats is not affected during their absence, Sarpanches (village heads) and Panches (panchayat members) in Punjab will now be required to obtain prior approval from the state government before traveling abroad.
The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats has introduced new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for elected panchayat representatives, making it mandatory for them to seek leave sanction before leaving the country.
The provision of “Ex-India Leave”, which was previously applicable only to government employees and MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), has now been extended to Sarpanches and Panches as well.
According to sources, this decision was taken following reports that rural development work often stalled when representatives of Panchayati Raj bodies flew abroad.
An official stated that their absence not only affected routine development work but also the process of issuing various certificates, including those for caste and income, which require their signatures.
The state currently has 13,238 Sarpanches and 83,437 panchayat members.
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