Led by Cabinet Minister Kuldip Singh Dhaliwal, panchayats across state vow to restore the pristine glory of Punjab

Ludhiana, June 13, 2022: Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today gave a clarion call to all the Panchayats across the state to join hands with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led state government to restore the pristine glory of Punjab by upholding the rich legacy of Gram Sabha in the state.

Chairing a seminar held here at Punjab Agricultural University on the issue of the role of gram sabha in rural development, the minister called upon all the panchayat members (Panch and Sarpanch) to hold sessions of Gram Sabha in their respective villages between June 15 and June 26 across the state. Stressing on the revival of gram Sabha to bring about socio-economic change in the state, Dhaliwal announced that all the proposals cum resolutions passed during the session of these Gram Sabha would be accepted by the government and the requisite funds would also be made available to villages concerned within a short span of time to carry out development works as decided by Gram Sabha.

65 percent of the state's population live in the villages, thereby the holistic development of the state can not be imagined without the development of rural Punjab, said the minister adding that this mission cannot be achieved without the active participation of Panchayats which should strive hard while cutting across the party identities.

He also said that the Gram Sabha holds the potential to transform the destiny of Punjab, hence all the people should take part in this mega event for the betterment of their future.
Sharing Punjab Government's vision to improve the social and economic situation in villages, the Panchayat Minister said that the state government had embarked on two missions i.e. rescue of Panchayat lands and revival of Gram Sabha in the state. He went on to say that over 5500 acres of land have been freed from the illegal occupants across the state and the drive is still on until every single inch of land was successfully taken back by the authorities.

The minister also lashed out at previous state governments for deteriorating the condition of Panchayati Raj institutions in the state and reiterated his commitment to reviving these.

Meanwhile, keynote speakers including progressive Sarpanches, journalists, and experts from Punjab Agriculture University shared their views on further strengthening the Gram Sabha and the economy of Punjab. They also presented success stories among participants to invoke a positive response in them. These speakers included Soil Scientist from PAU Dr. Varinderepal Singh, Dr. Nirmal Jaura, Sarpanch Gurpreet Singh, Raj Balwinder Singh, Mandeep Singh, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, renowned journalist Dr. Hamir Singh.

Prominent amongst others present on the occasion included MLAs Madan Lal Bagga, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Jivan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, MLA Nakodar Inderjit Kaur Mann, Director Rural Development and Panchayats Gurpreet Singh Khaira, Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik, and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Amit Kumar Panchal, senior AAP leaders Dr KNS Kang, Amandeep Singh Mohi, AAP District President (Rural) Harbhupinder Singh Dharaur, District President (Urban) Suresh Goyal, besides several others.