Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Punjab: Panchayat imposes five strict rules on migrant labourers, sparks controversy
Babushahi Bureau
Bathinda (Punjab), September 15, 2025:. In a controversial move, the panchayat of Gehari Bhagi village in Bathinda district has imposed five strict restrictions on migrant workers. The announcement was made publicly at the village Gurdwara Sahib, making the issue even more sensitive.
The Five Rules Announced by the Panchayat:
- Ban on Land Purchase: Migrant laborers cannot buy houses or land in the village.
- No Voter ID or Aadhaar on Village Address: Migrants will not be allowed to register Aadhaar or voter cards on the village address.
- Restricted Stay: Migrants can only stay at tube wells or farm huts, not within the village residential areas.
- Farmer’s Responsibility: The farmer who employs migrant laborers will be fully responsible for them.
- Mandatory Police Verification: All migrant workers entering the village must undergo police verification.
Villagers claim the decision stems from rising crime incidents allegedly involving migrant workers in parts of Punjab, including Hoshiarpur. Village sarpanch Baljit Singh said, “Any laborer who comes for work cannot settle in the village.”
The move has also drawn support from the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhu Pur. Its block president Jasvir Singh alleged that migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were disturbing the social environment of villages, saying the restrictions were necessary.
However, the panchayat’s diktat has triggered sharp debate. Many have termed it illegal and a violation of human rights, while administrative officials are also reviewing the legality and implications of such restrictions.