PATIALA : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday called upon Sarpanches to rise above parochial considerations and work wholeheartedly for the comprehensive development of Pinds (villages). During a Sarpanch Milni, the Chief Minister announced that Sarpanches will receive an honorarium of ₹10,000 per month from August 15. He also urged them to ensure transparent utilization of public funds, eliminate groupism, promote communal harmony, and lead efforts to make villages drug-free, clean, green and pollution-free.
Addressing the gathering during the Sarpanch Milni, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Panchayats are known as the foundation of democracy because they have immense power and their decisions are obeyed by the entire village with respect. It is the bounden duty of every Sarpanch to safeguard the interests of villagers and cherish their aspirations. Around 70% of our country’s population lives in villages, due to which Panchayati Raj Institutions are regarded as the lighthouse of democracy.”
The Chief Minister said, “These institutions act as a catalyst for disseminating the benefits of the state government’s pro-people and development-oriented schemes at the grassroots level. The state government frames policies, while Sarpanches and Panches play a major role in implementing them on the ground. I urge all Sarpanches to rededicate themselves to development works from today so that the people are immensely benefited.”
Making a major announcement, the Chief Minister said, “Sarpanches will be given an honorarium of ₹10,000 per month from August 15. Earlier, my predecessors had promised an honorarium of ₹1,200 to Sarpanches, but that decision never saw the light of the day and Sarpanches had to run from pillar to post to receive it. However, our government started providing an honorarium of ₹2,000 to Sarpanches, which will now be increased to ₹10,000 per month.”
The Chief Minister noted, “Our government is issuing grants for works that are of immense public importance and are already under the direct supervision of Panchayats. Likewise, various works pertaining to the development of villages are also undertaken under their guidance. Sarpanches should ensure dedicated supervision of these works and services. It is the moral duty of every Sarpanch to ensure that every single penny of the taxpayers’ money is fully utilized in a transparent manner.”.
Giving a clarion call to Sarpanches, the Chief Minister said, “Sarpanches should remain away from any sort of undue interference in these works. It is very unfortunate that in the past several works in villages were jeopardized due to widespread groupism. Sarpanches must accord top priority to abolishing groupism in villages so that holistic development of rural areas can be ensured. In a democracy, the person or party that attains the majority is the winner, but once elected, the Sarpanch belongs to the whole village.”
The Chief Minister further stated, “Sarpanches should treat every resident of the village equally and every decision must be taken neutrally. There are several Sarpanches who have transformed their villages through their wisdom and farsightedness. Sarpanches should accord major thrust to making their villages drug-free so that the youth can be weaned away from the menace of drugs. They should also work hard to strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in villages.”
The Chief Minister said, “It is imperative to give further fillip to the pace of development and prosperity in villages. The Punjab Government is committed to the overall development and progress of villages, and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Sarpanches are a bridge between the government and villages, and you should play a major role in the development of villages.”
Assuring the Sarpanches of full support, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed, “There is no dearth of funds for undertaking developmental works in villages. Prioritise the development works of your villages so that the state government can get the work started on them. I urge all of you to play a proactive role in transforming the villages of the state by starting a constructive campaign so that together we can carve out a Rangla Punjab. Work hard to make villages clean, green and pollution-free. The state government is fully committed to this noble cause.”
The Chief Minister said, “The toughest election in the state is that of a Sarpanch because they are the ones connected with the people at the grassroots level. A Sarpanch is the head of the village, and a good Sarpanch can give a facelift to the village and ensure the prosperity of its people. This Sarpanch Milni is a unique initiative aimed at understanding issues at the village level. There is no shortage of grants, but these must be utilized in the right earnest in villages.”
He reiterated, “Allegations can be levelled against anyone, but the right Sarpanches are the pivot of village development. Earlier, previous regimes had their share in the grants, due to which development suffered. Today, a huge sum of grants is reaching villages, and the day is not far when the villages of Punjab will be completely rejuvenated with this money. Prioritise development works and ensure that these funds are spent in such a manner that every section of society benefits from them.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Priority should be given to the construction of libraries, schools, solar lights and then the streets so that holistic development of villages is ensured. This is imperative for accelerating the development of the state and is the need of the hour to make Punjab the frontrunner in the country. I assure every Sarpanch of my government’s fulsome support and cooperation for the holistic development of villages and the prosperity of their people.”
