Positioning rural development as a central pillar of inclusive growth, the Chief Minister outlined key initiatives ranging from the launch of Punjab’s first-ever caste socio-economic survey to large-scale infrastructure creation, revenue generation through transparent land management, and youth-focused development programmes.
File Photo: IANS
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday presented a comprehensive four-year report card of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department as part of the Punjab government’s ongoing “Shandaar Char Saal Bhagwant Mann De Naal” series, highlighting how sustained policy interventions have transformed village infrastructure, strengthened grassroots governance, and expanded employment opportunities across rural Punjab.
Positioning rural development as a central pillar of inclusive growth, the Chief Minister outlined key initiatives ranging from the launch of Punjab’s first-ever caste socio-economic survey to large-scale infrastructure creation, revenue generation through transparent land management, and youth-focused development programmes.
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Emphasising that the caste socio-economic survey, beginning April 1, will play a crucial role in ensuring equitable and targeted policymaking, the Chief Minister said the exercise aims to assess the living standards of all communities while maintaining complete confidentiality.
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He noted that the rural development report card is part of a wider governance framework under which the AAP government is presenting sector-wise performance across education, healthcare, irrigation, agriculture and other key areas, underlining its focus on accountability, transparency and measurable outcomes.
Presenting the report card, Chief Minister Mann said holistic development of villages has taken place over the last four years, involving massive construction work and the cleaning of ponds. He added that the state has also generated revenue by removing illegal encroachments from government lands and through other means.
He said due to the state’s sustained efforts, there has been an increase in consensus during panchayat elections. Of the 13,236 panchayats in Punjab, elections were conducted in 2024, with a large number elected unanimously. In 2018, around 1,870 panchayats were elected unanimously, whereas in 2024, the number rose to 2,970. This increase of 1,100 panchayats has strengthened communal harmony in villages and ensured their holistic development. The Chief Minister said, informing that the Government has enhanced the honorarium of sarpanches from ₹1,200 to ₹2,000 per month,
He added that under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Development, ₹2,367.64 crore was spent in 2025–26, which is double the amount spent in 2024–25. During 2017–22, ₹1,883 crore was spent on village development over five years, whereas the state government has spent ₹3,847 crore in the last four years.
The Chief Minister said that ₹1,030.94 crore was spent on panchayat buildings, libraries, anganwadi centres, playgrounds, streets, drains, and other development works.
He further said that ₹1,336.70 crore was spent on drinking water, water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and essential services, with funds released through Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and panchayats.
The Chief Minister added that the Punjab Government has increased income from leasing shamlat land in villages. Illegal encroachments on panchayat land were removed, thereby boosting state revenue. Over four years, the government has generated ₹1,842.78 crore through leasing such land.
He noted that in 2025–26, revenue increased by ₹50.75 crore compared to the previous year. Around 1.35 lakh acres were leased, generating ₹520.54 crore, as against ₹469.79 crore in 2024–25.
The Chief Minister said that, to channelise the boundless energy of youth in a positive direction, around 3,000 rural playgrounds are being developed at a cost of ₹1,166 crore. These will be spread over 6,500 acres across 3,148 identified locations.
He added that work has already begun on 2,400 grounds, most of which will be completed by June this year, with facilities such as volleyball courts, football fields, children’s play equipment, and seating arrangements.
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the state’s history, construction of panchayat buildings has been undertaken. In the second phase, 500 modern panchayat buildings are being constructed with a budget of ₹125 crore.
He added that ₹25 lakh has been allocated per building, and 373 buildings have already been completed in the first phase.
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government has also initiated the construction of 251 village libraries, of which 231 have already been completed, with the aim of connecting villagers with literature and helping youth prepare for competitive exams.
Referring to the MGNREGA scheme, he said that ₹4,708 crore was spent between 2017 and 2022, whereas ₹5,146 crore has been spent since 2022. As many as 8.96 lakh people have received employment, generating 2.40 crore person-days of work.
He noted that in 2025–26, around 63,357 new job cards were issued, including 2,480 for persons with disabilities.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab strongly opposes arbitrary and illogical amendments to the MGNREGA scheme. He added that the Punjab Legislative Assembly has opposed changes by the Centre that could reduce rural employment, calling such restrictive measures unwarranted and undesirable.
He said that the Punjab Government has taken path-breaking initiatives to provide housing for rural families. This year, approval has been granted for 76,000 houses, including 30,000 for flood-affected families.
He added that between 2016 and 2022, only 39,000 houses were built, whereas the state has now set a target of constructing one lakh houses for economically weaker sections.
The Chief Minister said that the government has launched a major scheme to clean 17,080 village ponds. So far, 13,414 ponds have been dewatered and desilting has been completed in 4,706 ponds, with ₹235 crore being spent on the initiative.
He said that the caste and socio-economic survey is being conducted for the first time in Punjab’s history, with a budget of ₹250 crore. Around 28,000 enumerators will be deployed, each receiving an honorarium of ₹62,500.
The Chief Minister said that in the fight against drugs, villages across the state have extended strong support. He thanked panchayats and volunteers, noting that 1.25 lakh members have joined the campaign.
He added that 12,000 Village Defence Committees have been formed, with volunteers acting as “village guardians,” and that many drug traffickers have been arrested based on their inputs.
Under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, the Chief Minister said that 100 top women entrepreneurs from 23 districts have been awarded ₹25,000 each, along with certificates and mementos.
He added that 11,700 women have been honoured across 117 constituencies, while 2,300 have been felicitated at district-level events. Under the mission, 58,303 self-help groups have been formed, connecting 5.89 lakh families, with ₹147 crore in financial support provided.
The Chief Minister noted that as part of women empowerment initiatives, a new scheme has been launched to connect women with dairy farming. Under this scheme, 1,100 milk cooperative societies have been registered and ₹18 crore in interest-free loans has been provided.
He added that these societies are supplying one lakh litres of milk daily to Milkfed. Sakhi Shakti Melas were organised across Punjab, where more than 1,500 women participated and products worth ₹9 crore were sold.
He said that for the first time, state blocks have been reorganised as per Assembly constituencies to improve coordination. Village Development Officers and Panchayat Secretaries have been merged into a state cadre and cadres for 3,327 Panchayat Development Secretaries have been created to improve efficiency.
Replying to a query, the Chief Minister alleged that the Union Government is giving step motherly treatment to Punjab, claiming that grants under RDF, GST, NHM, and other heads have been withheld. He attributed this to political reasons, stating that the state does not support the BJP.
He further said that the Disaster Management Fund allocated by the Centre is too meagre and needs revision in the larger public interest. He asserted that the state will oppose this discrimination at all levels, both legally and administratively.
Replying to another query, the Chief Minister said it was surprising that Punjab Congress leaders have remained silent over the imposition of entry tax by the Himachal Pradesh Government, led by their party, which affects a large section of Punjabis.
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