Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday sought the active support of village Panchayats in the ongoing ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virush’ (War Against Drugs) campaign. Speaking at the state-level function to mark Panchayat Diwas, the CM announced significant financial assistance and the launch of major development projects for villages that declare themselves drug-free. Under this initiative, any village that successfully rids itself of drugs will be provided with a financial aid of Rs 1 lakh along with advanced infrastructure and facilities. These drug-free villages will be transformed into Model villages, the CM emphasized, with the state government committing to leave no stone unturned in their development.
Mann urged the Sarpanches (village heads) to take a proactive role in this noble cause. He stressed that the fight against the drug menace requires active public participation, and the Panchayats, as the backbone of rural democracy, must lead the charge. He also made it clear that the state government will not tolerate the flourishing of drug smugglers at the cost of innocent lives, highlighting the government’s efforts in disrupting drug supply chains and incarcerating key drug traffickers. For the first time, the state has also initiated the confiscation of illegally acquired properties from drug smugglers as a deterrent for others.
In another important announcement, Mann declared that Sarpanches will now receive an honorarium of Rs 2,000 per month, a promise that had been made by previous governments but never implemented. This honorarium will be given starting from the date they were elected, making it a permanent and regular feature of the Panchayat system.
Addressing the critical role of village Panchayats, Mann reiterated that these institutions are central to rural development and democracy. He emphasized that Sarpanches and Panches (village council members) are crucial in implementing government policies at the grassroots level, ensuring the delivery of pro-people and development-oriented schemes. Mann further urged the Sarpanches to work diligently in ensuring the effective supervision of development projects in their villages.
The CM also highlighted the importance of unity within villages, expressing his concern over the prevalence of groupism that often hampers development work. He urged Sarpanches to remain neutral and treat every villager equally, ensuring that village decisions benefit the community as a whole. In villages where Panchayats have worked together harmoniously, Mann praised the positive results, acknowledging those villages that have successfully elected their Sarpanches unanimously for fostering an atmosphere of unity and progress.
Mann assured the people of Punjab that the state government is fully committed to the overall development of villages. He pointed out that the state’s efforts include initiatives to rejuvenate village ponds and provide treated water for agricultural use, thus reducing the dependence on underground water. Additionally, he emphasized the state’s progress in increasing the use of canal water for irrigation, which now covers 75% of agricultural land, significantly reducing the strain on groundwater resources.
The Chief Minister concluded the event by honoring the Gram Panchayat of Baloh, District Bathinda, for securing the top position in various categories of village development, along with other Panchayats and officials for their outstanding performance.
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