Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Friday said that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government has launched several significant and innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening Panchayats and promoting rural development.
Addressing a press conference, the minister stated that the government has earmarked a total budget of Rs 150 crore for providing cheques to Panchayats elected through unanimous consensus, out of which Rs 135 crore has been allocated for the current financial year. Last year, the allocation was Rs 15 crore. He said that 3,044 Gram Panchayats were elected unanimously during the last Panchayat elections in 2024. As per the Aam Aadmi Party’s commitment, these Panchayats are being given cheques of Rs 5 lakh each, and on the occasion of Panchayat Diwas, the Chief Minister personally handed over cheques to five such Panchayats.
Sond further informed that 67% increase in the honorarium for Sarpanches was announced by the CM on Panchayat Diwas celebrations, raising it to Rs 2,000 per month. This initiative will result in an annual expenditure of Rs 31.70 crore from the state treasury, benefiting all 13,236 Sarpanches in Punjab.
He highlighted that the honorarium, which began in 2006 at Rs 600 per month and was increased to Rs 1,200 in 2012, was never paid consistently. However, the AAP government is committed to providing this monthly honorarium regularly without interruption.
As part of the government’s fight against drugs, Yudh Nashiyan Virudh', Chief Minister Mann has also announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for one drug-free village in each of the state’s 154 blocks, a first-of-its-kind initiative.
In another move, the Chief Minister announced the formation of an Advisory Board to ensure better coordination between the government and Panchayati Raj institutions. The board will comprise 3 members from Zila Parishads, 5 from Block Samitis, and 46 Sarpanches (2 from each district).
Minister Sond lists AAP Govt's achievements in Rural Development
Saturday, 26 April 2025 | PNS
| Chandigarh
Minister Sond lists AAP Govt's achievements in Rural Development
Saturday, 26 April 2025 | PNS | Chandigarh
