Calls for Making Villages Drug-Free
Punjab Newsline, Bathinda/Chandigarh, November 19-
Punjab cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday emphasized the crucial role of village Panchayats as the foundation of democracy while administered the oath of office to 2,490 newly elected Panchs from 318 villages of the district Bathinda during the district-level oath-taking ceremony held at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Multipurpose Sports Stadium.
On this occasion, Cheema congratulated the district administration for conducting elections in a fair and transparent manner. Describing Panchayats as the foundation of democracy, Finance Minister Cheema emphasized that decisions related to the development of villages should be taken in Gram Sabhas. He urged the Panchs to ensure proper utilization of the grants provided by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government so that the villages can be developed and taken towards further progress. He highlighted that if the Panchs and Sarpanchs perform their duties well, they can change the destiny of their villages. He also announced that after reviewing the works of the Panchayats, a special grant of Rs 5 lakh will be given to them, and the state government will provide full support to the village Panchayats for every noble work.