The North News
Chandigarh, August 25
Punjab’s Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond has announced that 500 new Panchayat Ghars and Common Service Centres are being built across the state to boost rural governance and digital access. The first phase of the project, costing Rs 125 crore, was launched recently by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann in Fatehgarh Sahib. Each village with a population above 2,800 will receive one Panchayat Ghar and one Common Service Centre. A Panchayat Ghar will cost Rs 20 lakh to construct, while a service centre will cost Rs 5 lakh. Villages without existing Panchayat Ghars will be prioritised.
Sond said the initiative aims to strengthen the foundations of local democracy. “Many Panchayats lacked even basic infrastructure for meetings. These new Panchayat Ghars will not just be offices but hubs for decision-making and rural development,” he said.
The minister added that the service centres would form the backbone of a rural digital revolution, offering access to online services such as government scheme registrations, school and college admissions, Aadhaar enrolment, and passport applications. “In today’s era, digital infrastructure is crucial. These centres will bridge the gap and make services accessible to every villager,” he said.
He expressed hope that the new infrastructure would empower Panchayats to make collective decisions for the development and welfare of their communities.
