The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, December 28
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats achieved several significant milestones in 2024. Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that since the campaign to remove illegal encroachments on Panchayati land began in 2022, 12,809 acres of land have been reclaimed and handed over to panchayats by 2024. The market value of this reclaimed land exceeds Rs. 3,080 crore. Out of this, approximately 6,000 acres have been leased, generating an annual income of Rs. 10.76 crore during 2024-25.
Additionally, during 2024-25, the department auctioned 1.36 lakh acres of Shamlat land for Rs. 469 crore. Similarly, revenue of Rs. 93.90 crore was generated by leasing livestock markets through e-auctions.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond mentioned that realizing Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of establishing libraries in villages, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats initiated the Rural Library Scheme from the village of Issru (Khanna) in 2024. The Chief Minister inaugurated the first library on August 15 and interacted with school children. Currently, 114 rural libraries are functional across Punjab, and 179 are in progress.
To strengthen democracy, panchayat elections were conducted in 2024. Sond also revealed that 3,044 panchayats were elected unanimously during these elections, and as per the Chief Minister’s announcement, financial assistance will be provided for welfare initiatives in these panchayats.
The department also facilitated financial assistance for self-help groups by enabling them to secure loans worth Rs. 94.35 crore from banks. Similarly, under the MGNREGA scheme, Rs. 983.98 crore has been spent during the 2024-25 financial year, generating 2.15 crore person-days of employment. An average of 7.02 lakh rural families have been provided employment under the scheme this year. Additionally, the department planted a total of 95.03 lakh saplings in 2024. Moreover, 2,461 sports grounds have been completed, and work on 1,623 grounds is underway.
The Rural Development and Panchayats Minister shared that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), 5,166 houses have been constructed this financial year, with a total expenditure of Rs. 62 crore. He expressed optimism that by the end of the financial year, 18,000 houses, costing Rs. 220 crore, will be completed. In 2025-26, an additional 25,000 houses will be constructed. To identify new beneficiaries, a fresh survey has been underway since November 1, 2024, with dedicated surveyors deployed in each village.
Furthermore, various initiatives are being undertaken to enhance the aesthetics of villages and manage solid and liquid waste effectively.
