First-of-its-kind initiative by any state in India

AAP Govt announced Rs 1 lakh for one drug-free village in each block of Punjab: Sond

- A budget allocation of Rs 150 crore for Panchayats elected with consensus

- Monthly honorarium of Rs 2,000 for Sarpanches, with an annual expenditure of Rs 31.70 crore

- 67% increase in the honorarium for Sarpanches compared to the previous rate

- Cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for each drug-free village under Yudh Nashiyan Virudh

- Advisory Board to be constituted for better coordination between government and Panchayats

Chandigarh, April 25:

Punjab's Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced that the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has launched several significant and innovative initiatives aimed at strengthening Panchayats and promoting rural development.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, 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 shared 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 announced by 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 by any state government in India.

Criticizing previous governments, the minister said that no genuine efforts were made for rural development in the past. For the first time since the establishment of Panchayat Diwas in 1993, the Aam Aadmi Party government formally celebrated this day in Punjab. The event witnessed participation from over 700 Panchayat representatives across 23 districts. A total of 35 awards were presented, including 10 Sarpanches, 15 self-help groups, and 10 Panchayat Secretaries recognized for their outstanding work.

In another significant 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).

Concluding the address, Minister Sond highlighted that the government has allocated Rs 4,573 crore for rural development this year, which will be used to transform both the condition and direction of Punjab’s villages through inclusive and strategic planning.

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