Govt Raises Sarpanch Honorarium: Monthly Allowance Hiked to ₹2000

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu):- Seeking support from village panchayats in the 'War against Drugs' campaign, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced financial assistance along with major projects for drug-free villages in the state. Addressing the gathering during the state-level function organised on the occasion of Panchayat Diwas, the Chief Minister said that any village which declares itself as drug-free will be given financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh besides other modern facilities. He said that drug-free villages would be developed as model villages and no stone would be left unturned to promote their development.

Bhagwant Singh Mann called upon the Sarpanchs to play an active role in this noble cause so that the curse of drug addiction can be eradicated from the state with active public cooperation. The Chief Minister said that the State Government will not sit idly and see the smugglers flourishing on the dead bodies and pyres of drug victims. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the State Government has already broken the drug supply chain and the big fishes involved in this heinous crime have been put behind the bars. He said that for the first time the property illegally built by the drug smugglers is being destroyed/confiscated by the State Government so that it deters others from getting involved in this work. In an important decision, the Chief Minister announced that Sarpanchs will be given honorarium of Rs. 2000 per month from the day they are elected. He said that the previous government had promised to give honorarium of Rs. 1200 to the Sarpanchs, but that decision was never implemented and the Sarpanchs had to run from pillar to post for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now this honorarium of Rs. 2000 will be regular and permanent. The Chief Minister further said that the village Panchayats are the most important part of the democratic system, which are playing a vital role in the transformation of rural areas. He reiterated that the State Government is committed to provide all possible help and support to the Sarpanches as they have played an active role in the process of overall rural development. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Panchayats and Sarpanches are the real eyes and ears of the State Government as they are well connected with the public at the grassroots level.

The Chief Minister said that the wise voters of Punjab have entrusted a huge responsibility to all the Sarpanches and they should discharge their responsibilities with utmost devotion. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Panchayats are considered to be the foundation of democracy as the decisions taken by them are accepted with respect by the entire village. He said that now that the people of the state have given power to the Sarpanches, it is the duty of the Sarpanches to fulfill the wishes and interests of the people.

The Chief Minister said that Panchayati institutions are most helpful in taking the benefits of the government's pro-people policies and development-oriented schemes to the grassroots level. He said that the state governments make plans for the development of villages, while the Sarpanch and Panchs play an important role in implementing these schemes at the grassroots level. Bhagwant Singh Mann appealed to all the Sarpanchs to dedicate themselves to development works. He said that the elected representatives should ensure prompt monitoring of development works and services.

The Chief Minister called upon the Sarpanchs to stay away from any kind of unnecessary interference in these works. He said that it is very unfortunate that due to factionalism in the villages, the work is badly affected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanchs should give top priority to ending factionalism in the villages. He said that in democracy the person or party which gets the majority is the winner, but that Sarpanch is elected by the entire village.

The Chief Minister said that the Sarpanch should treat every villager equally and take decisions with fairness. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches of many villages have transformed their villages with their wisdom and foresight. Thanking the villages with unanimously elected Panchayats, he said that these villages have risen above their differences and elected their Sarpanches unanimously so that on one hand the values of goodwill and brotherhood can be strengthened in the villages and on the other hand their comprehensive development can be ensured. The Chief Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to the all-round development and progress of the villages and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches are the bridge between the government and the villages and hence they should play a big role in the development of the villages. He appealed to the Sarpanches to contribute proactively to make the 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 launched a massive campaign to regenerate village ponds across the state. He said that the aim of this campaign is to clean the ponds and for this the state government has already prepared a suitable plan. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the water of these ponds will be purified and used properly for agricultural purposes so that the burden on groundwater can be reduced.

The Chief Minister said that when he took over the reins of the state, only 21 per cent of canal water was being used for irrigation in the state. He said it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 75 per cent of canal water was being used for irrigation. Bhagwant Singh Mann said canal water was a boon for irrigation as it was rich in minerals, which increased the fertility of the soil and on the other hand saved groundwater. The Chief Minister said canal water also reduced the power burden, enabling the state government to provide uninterrupted power to every sector. He said after assuming power his government had regenerated thousands of khaals and kassis in the state, due to which water reached the tail end of even the far-flung villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said due to the hard efforts of the state government the groundwater level had started rising and as per the Central government report groundwater had risen by up to one metre in many blocks. On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated Ballo Gram Panchayat of Bathinda district for securing first position in the state by getting maximum marks in the Panchayat progress index in various categories related to development of villages. Besides, nine Panchayats which showed excellent performance in various categories and Panchayats elected unanimously were also felicitated by the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also felicitated self-help groups and Panchayat secretaries who performed well. Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund and others were present on the occasion.