CHANDIGARH-Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday presented a comprehensive four-year report card of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department as part of the Punjab Government’s ongoing “Shandaar Char Saal Bhagwant Mann de naal” series, highlighting how sustained policy interventions have transformed village infrastructure, strengthened grassroots governance, and expanded employment opportunities across rural Punjab.
Positioning rural development as a central pillar of inclusive growth, the Chief Minister outlined key initiatives ranging from the launch of Punjab’s first-ever caste socio-economic survey to large-scale infrastructure creation, revenue generation through transparent land management, and youth-focused development programmes.
Emphasising that the caste socio-economic survey, beginning April 1, will play a crucial role in ensuring equitable and targeted policymaking, the Chief Minister said the exercise aims to assess the living standards of all communities while maintaining complete confidentiality. He noted that the rural development report card is part of a wider governance framework under which the AAP government is presenting sector-wise performance across education, healthcare, irrigation, agriculture, and other key areas, underlining its focus on accountability, transparency, and measurable outcomes.
Presenting the report card of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Holistic development of the villages has taken place in the last four years involving massive construction work, cleaning of ponds as the state has generated money by removing the illegal encroachments from the government lands and through other means.”
The Chief Minister said, “Due to strenuous efforts of the state there has been an increase in consensus for Panchayat Elections. There are 13, 236 Panchayats in Punjab, the polls for which were conducted in 2024, with a large number of Panchayats elected unanimously. In 2018, around 1, 870 Panchayats were elected unanimously but in 2024, as many as 2, 970 Panchayats were elected unanimously.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This is an increase of 1, 100 Panchayats thereby strengthening communal harmony in villages and ensuring their holistic development.”
He said, “The Punjab government has enhanced the honorarium of Sarpanchs from ₹1, 200 to ₹2, 000 per month.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Development ₹2, 367.64 crore was spent on rural development in 2025–26 which was double as compared to 2024–25. During 2017-22 ₹1, 883 crore was spent on the development of villages in five years whereas the state government has spent ₹3, 847 crore in the last four years for this noble cause.”
The Chief Minister said, “₹1, 030.94 crore was spent on Panchayat buildings, libraries, Anganwadi centers, playgrounds, streets, drains, and other development works.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Talking about the MGNREGA Scheme, from 2017–2022, only ₹4, 708 crore was spent whereas from 2022 till now, ₹5, 146 crore has been spent. 8.96 lakh people have received employment and 2.40 crore man days of employment has been generated.”
The Chief Minister noted, “In 2025–26, around 63, 357 new job cards were issued, which included 2, 480 for persons with disabilities.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab vehemently opposes the arbitrary and illogical amendments in the MGNREGA scheme. The Punjab Legislative Assembly had opposed changes made by the central government that could reduce rural employment. Such restriction based schemes are unwarranted and undesirable as they pose a serious question mark on the intent of such schemes.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab government has taken path breaking initiatives for providing housing facilities for rural families. This year approval was granted for 76, 000 houses, including 30, 000 flood-affected families.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Caste and Socio-Economic Survey is being conducted for the first time in Punjab’s history. The aim is to assess living standards of all castes and sub-castes to frame policies for their well being accordingly. A budget of ₹250 crore has been kept for this purpose in which 28, 000 enumerators will be deployed and each will receive ₹62, 500 honorarium.”
Replying to a query, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Union government is meting out step motherly treatment with Punjab. Grants under RDF, GST, NHM and others for the state have been unduly stopped by the centre as they are envious of the state. The sole reason is that Punjab does not vote for BJP due to which the Union government indulges in this grave injustice with Punjab.”
The Chief Minister statedd, “The Disaster Management Fund allotted by the centre is too meager and needs to be revised in the larger interest of the masses. The state will oppose this discrimination tooth and nail and no stone will be left unturned for getting the legitimate share of the state. This issue will be taken both legally and administratively at every platform.”
Replying to another query, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is surprising that Punjab Congress leaders are maintaining stoic silence over the imposition of entry tax by the Himachal government led by their party, which concerns a large section of Punjabis.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “On one hand the state government is abolishing the toll tax and giving reprieve to the common man whereas on the other hand these people are levying undue taxes on people.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The state government is committed to smooth and hassle free procurement and lifting of the wheat crop and elaborate arrangements have already been made. Any arm twisting or blackmailing tactics aimed at jeopardizing the smooth procurement will not be tolerated and exemplary action will be taken against such forces.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab an intelligent and smart government is functioning unlike the earlier ones which looted the people.”
He said, “The Punjab government is exploring the feasibility of putting high tension wires passing through farmers’ land underground and the strategy is being chalked out. This will be a reprieve to the farmers as these wires pose a huge risk to them and their crops.”
On the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and others were also present.