Hold gram sabhas to ensure transparency and judicious use of money  for development works in villages: Kejriwal to newly elected Sarpanchs 

Ludhiana, November 8, 2024: Former Delhi Chief Minister and National convenor of AAP on Friday gave a clarion call to newly elected Sarpanchs of state to hold gram panchayats in their respective villages for making every decision in full public view to ensure transparency in development works. 

“It is imperative to ensure optimum utilisation of the public money for the welfare of public and comprehensive development of the villages”, said Kejriwal, who was the chief guest of a state level function in which Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann administered the oath of office to 10031 newly elected Sarpanchs from across the state. 

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that the decisions pertaining to development of villages should be taken in gram sabhas for ensuring judicious utilisation of funds. He said that if Sarpanchs perform their duty well then they can transform the destiny of the common man and their villages. Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government will extend full support to the Sarpanchs for every noble cause. 

The former Delhi Chief Minister gave clarion call to the Sarpanchs for wiping out the curse of drugs from the state adding that with proactive role of Sarpanchs Punjab will be soon a drug free state. He said that the state government and Punjab Police is committed for this noble cause and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. Arvind Kejriwal said that Sarpanchs have a big role to play and they should discharge their duty effectively. 

Former Delhi Chief Minister , while congratulating Punjabis for free, fair and transparent polls, welcomed all the Sarpanchs who have converged in the function. He expressed hope that after taking the oath these Sarpanchs will lead their villages to the path of development. Arvind Kejriwal said that it is heartening to learn that around 3000 panchayats have been elected unanimously which will give fillip to the development of villages. 

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that Sarpanchs have to perform well  and transform their villages in model one. He said that the Sarpanchs should discharge their duty well in a honest and transparent manner for well being of the villages. Arvind Kejriwal asked the Sarpanchs to take every decision of the after due consultation with the villagers adding that Sarpanchs can play a major role in overall development of the villages. 

Meanwhile, in his address the Punjab Chief Minister congratulated all the Sarpanchs for their election to the prestigious post. He said that in the recently concluded elections for Panchayats, 13147 new panchayats have been elected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in today’s state level function 10031 sarpanches from 19 districts of Punjab are being administered oath.

The Chief Minister said that oath taking ceremony of other newly elected Sarpanches of remaining four districts namely Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Barnala and Gurdaspur and of 81,808 newly elected Panches of 23 districts will be held after the by-elections of four Vidhan Sabha constituencies namely Giddarbaha, Chabewal, Barnala and Dera Baba Nanak. He expressed gratitude to the villages who have elected panchayats unanimously. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these villages have risen above the parochial considerations and elected their sarpanchs unanimously to strengthen ethos of harmony and brotherhood in villages on one hand and ensuring their comprehensive development on the other.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the panchayats of 3037 villages were selected unanimously in the state and Ferozepur district took the lead by selecting 336 panchayats unanimously followed by Gurdaspur (335) and Tarn Taran (334). He said that the wise voters of Punjab have bestowed a huge responsibility to all Sarpanchs and they should discharge it meticulously. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he was indebted to the voters of the state who have enthusiastically participated in these polls in a free and fair manner.

The Chief Minister said that Panchayats are known as ‘foundations of democracy’ as they have immense power and its decision are obeyed by entire village respectfully. He said that now when people of state have given Sarpanchs this power so it is their bounden duty to safeguard their interests and cherish their aspirations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that around 70% population of our country lives in village due to which Panchayati Raj Institutions are seen as ‘lighthouse of democracy’.

The Chief Minister said that these institutions act as a catalyst for disseminating the benefits of pro-people and development oriented schemes of state government at grassroots level. He said that the policies are framed by the state government and Sarpanches/ Panches play a major role in implementing them at ground level. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged all Sarpanchs to rededicate themselves for the development works from today. 

The Chief Minister said that Schools, dispensaries, veterinary hospitals and several other works of public importance are already under direct supervision of panchayats. Likewise, he said that various works pertaining to development of villages are also undertaken under their guidance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanchs should ensure supervision of these works and services in a dedicated manner. 

The Chief Minister gave clarion call to Sarpanchs that they should remain away from any sort of undue interference in these works. He said that it is very unfortunate that several works in villages are jeopardised due to widespread groupism in the villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Sarpanchs must accord top priority to abolish groupism in the villages. 

The Chief Minister said that in a democracy the person or party who attains majority is the winner but once elected Sarpanch belongs to whole village. He said that sarpanch should treat every resident of village equally and decisions must be taken neutrally. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there are several sarpanches of the village who have transformed their villages with their wiseness and farsightedness.

The Chief Minister said that every third house in our village of the NRIs and the Sarpanch should come forward and coordinate with the NRIs to ensure that they become active partner in development of villages. He said that Sarpanchs should also accord major thrust on making their villages drug free to wean away the youth from menace of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that Sarpanchs should also work hard for cementing the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the villages. 

The Chief Minister said that it is imperative to give further fillip to the pace of development and prosperity in the villages. He said that Punjab government is committed for overall development and progress of the villages and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches are a bridge between government and the villages and you should play a big role in development of villages. 

The Chief Minister assured Sarpanchs that there is no dearth of funds for undertaking developmental work in villages. He asked the Sarpanchs to prioritise the development work of their villages so that state government can get the work started on it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the panchayats must pass resolution for holistic development of the villages adding that state government will leave no stone unturned for it. 

The Chief Minister urged all to play a proactive role in transforming the villages of the state by starting a constructive campaign so that we can carve out a Rangla Punjab. He also asked the Sarpanchs to work hard for making villages clean, green and pollution free.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that health, education, power, water and infrastructure are top five priorities of his government.  

The Chief Minister said that the state government has given more than 45000 jobs to the youth of the state in a transparent manner. He said that 90% households of the state are getting free power due to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that state government has roped in a number of top industrialists like Tata steel and others who will provide jobs to the local youth. 

The Chief Minister said that while earlier governments plundered the wealth of the state and country, the AAP government is focusing solely on development. He said that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has shown a new way to people and the state government is working as per his vision to benefit the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that the state government will ensure progress of the state and prosperity of people. 

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries were also present.