Chandigarh, April 24-
Soliciting the support of the village Panchayats in ongoing ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virush’, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced financial assistance along with major projects for the drug free villages in the state.
Addressing the gathering during the state level function to mark Panchayat Diwas, the Chief Minister said that the village which will declare itself as drug free village will be given financial assistance worth Rs 1 lakh besides other ultra modern facilities. He said that the drug free villages will be developed as Model villages and no stone will be left unturned to give fillip to their development. Bhagwant Singh Mann asked the Sarpanchs to play a proactive role in this noble cause so that the scourge of drugs is wiped out from the state with active public support.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will not sit idly and watch the smugglers bloom at the cost of the dead bodies and pyres of the drug victims. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has already snapped the supply line of drugs and big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. He said that for the first time the property of the drug smugglers acquired illegally are being destroyed/ confiscated by the state government so that it acts as a deterrent for others.
Meanwhile, in a significant decision, the Chief Minister announced that Sarpanches will be given a honorarium worth Rs 2000 per month starting from the day they were elected. He said that earlier his predecessors had promised Rs 1200 as honorarium to the Sarpanches but that decision never saw the light of the day and Sarpanches had to run pillar to post for it. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now this honorarium worth Rs 2000 will be a regular and permanent feature.
The Chief Minister further said that village panchayats are the most significant organ of the democratic system which had been instrumental in the transformation of the rural areas. He reiterated that the state government is committed to extend all possible support and cooperation to the Sarpanches as they played a pro-active role in the process of overall rural development. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Panchayats and Sarpanches were the real eyes and ears of the state government as they are well connected with the masses at ground level.
The Chief Minister said that the wise voters of Punjab have bestowed a huge responsibility to all Sarpanchs and they should discharge it meticulously. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Panchayats are known as ‘foundations of democracy’ as they have immense power and its decisions are obeyed by the entire village respectfully. He said that now when people of state have given Sarpanchs this power, it is their bounden duty to safeguard their interests and cherish their aspirations.
The Chief Minister said that these institutions act as a catalyst for disseminating the benefits of pro-people and development oriented schemes of state government at grassroots level. He said that the policies are framed by the state government and Sarpanches/ Panches play a major role in implementing them at ground level. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged all Sarpanchs to rededicate themselves for the development works adding that they should ensure the supervision of development works and services in a dedicated manner.
The Chief Minister gave clarion call to Sarpanchs that they should remain away from any sort of undue interference in these works. He said that it is very unfortunate that several works in villages are jeopardised due to widespread groupism in the villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Sarpanchs must accord top priority to abolish groupism in the villages adding that in a democracy the person or party who attains majority is the winner but once elected Sarpanch to the entire village.
The Chief Minister said that sarpanch should treat every resident of the village equally and decisions must be taken neutrally. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there are several sarpanches of the village who have transformed their villages with their wiseness and farsightedness. Expressing gratitude to the villages who have elected panchayats unanimously, he said that these villages have risen above the parochial considerations and elected their sarpanches unanimously to strengthen ethos of harmony and brotherhood in villages on one hand and ensure their comprehensive development on the other.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Punjab government is committed for overall development and progress of the villages and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches are a bridge between government and the villages and they should play a big role in the development of villages. He also urged the Sarpanchs to work hard for making villages clean, green and pollution free, so that the environment of the state can be protected.
The Chief Minister further said that the Punjab government has started a massive drive to rejuvenate village ponds across the state. He said that the drive is aimed at cleaning these ponds adding that the state government has already prepared an elaborate plan for purpose. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the water of these ponds will be treated and utilized duly for agricultural purposes so as to reduce burden on underground water.
The Chief Minister said that at the time when he had assumed the charge of office only 21% canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, he said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 75% of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes. Likewise, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that canal water is a boon for irrigation as this mineral rich water enhances fertility of soil on one hand and reduces pressure on groundwater on the other.
The Chief Minister said that it also reduces the burden on the power sector thereby enabling the state government to provide uninterrupted power to every sector. He said that after assuming charge his government has revived thousands of water courses in the state due to which water has reached at the tail ends even in remotest villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to strenuous efforts of the state government the ground water level has started increasing and as per a report of the Union government it has witnessed an upward enhancement of even one metre in several blocks.
The Chief Minister bestowed Panchayat Advance Index Award to Gram Panchayat of Village Baloh, District Bathinda for securing first position in various categories related to village development.
Apart from this, the Chief Minister honored nine Panchayats and other unanimously elected Panchayats for their excellent performance in various categories. The Chief Minister also honored the Self Help Groups and Panchayat Secretaries for their good performance.
On this occasion Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and others were present.
