The North News
Chandigarh, April 24
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced a financial incentive for villages that declare themselves drug-free and promised ₹1 lakh and modern facilities as part of a wider push against drug abuse. Speaking at a state-level event marking Panchayat Diwas on Wednesday, Mann said such villages would be developed into model villages with priority access to infrastructure. He urged village leaders to take an active role in eliminating drugs from rural communities.
“No stone will be left unturned in the development of villages that take this bold step,” he said, adding that the battle against drugs required public participation. The chief minister emphasised that his government had already acted against drug traffickers, jailing major offenders and confiscating properties acquired through illegal means.
He also announced an honorarium of ₹2,000 per month for all Sarpanches, backdated to the day of their election. The decision, he said, fulfilled an earlier promise that had gone unimplemented by previous governments. “Sarpanches are the eyes and ears of the government,” Mann said. “They are crucial to delivering grassroots development.”
Highlighting the significance of village panchayats in rural transformation, the CM praised those communities that elected leaders unanimously, calling it a testament to harmony and democratic maturity.
Mann urged elected representatives to stay clear of local groupism, which he said was stalling development work in several villages. “Once elected, a Sarpanch must work for the entire village and avoid partisanship,” he stressed. The Punjab government has also launched a large-scale campaign to clean and rejuvenate village ponds. Treated pond water will be reused for agriculture, reducing pressure on groundwater, the CM noted.
He said the use of canal water for irrigation had grown significantly under his government, from just 21% to 75%—helping restore groundwater levels and reduce stress on the power sector.
During the event, Mann presented the Panchayat Advance Index Award to the Gram Panchayat of Baloh village in Bathinda for its outstanding performance. Nine other panchayats and several Self Help Groups and Panchayat Secretaries were also recognised.
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and other senior officials were present at the ceremony.
