Punjab News Daily
Patiala, June 26

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.”