Punjab Approves New Local Government Bill

The Punjab Assembly’s Standing Committee on Local Government has approved the Local Government Bill 2025.

The bill introduces a new system of local governance in Punjab. It will now be presented in the Punjab Assembly for final approval. The Governor will sign the bill into law after legislative clearance.

Under the new bill, fresh constituency boundaries will be drawn. These new boundaries will prepare the province for local government elections in December 2025.

Deputy Commissioners will assist the Election Commission in managing the delimitation process. The goal is to ensure fair and transparent electoral divisions.

The bill also sets up a new structure for local bodies across the province. These include Union Councils, Tehsil Councils, Town Councils, Municipal Corporations, and Municipal Committees.

Each body will have authority to collect local taxes. They can also start development projects to improve community services.

A major part of the bill is the creation of district-level authorities. These will handle basic services such as sewage systems and clean drinking water. To ensure fair resource sharing, a new Finance Commission will also be created. This commission will distribute funds among the local bodies.

An earlier clause proposed that Deputy Commissioners lead the district committees. However, this has now been revised after debate. According to the new version, elected representatives will head the committees. Deputy Commissioners will now serve as co-chairpersons instead of leaders.

The bill has been carefully reviewed clause by clause. Committee members debated each section before approval.