AAP Govt Increases Sarpanch Honorarium to ₹2,000 – Highest Ever in Punjab
CM Announces Grants for Drug-Free Villages; Urges Support in 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh'
Chandigarh, April 24, 2025 – Soliciting support from village panchayats in the ongoing campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced financial aid and development initiatives for drug-free villages across the state.
Addressing a state-level function on Panchayat Diwas, the Chief Minister said any village declaring itself drug-free will receive ₹1 lakh along with other modern facilities. Such villages will also be developed as model villages. He urged sarpanches to take proactive roles in this campaign, emphasizing community involvement to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab.
The Chief Minister stated that the government has dismantled major drug supply chains and jailed key offenders. For the first time, the state has begun confiscating and destroying properties acquired illegally by drug smugglers as a deterrent.
In a significant move, Mann announced that sarpanches will now receive a monthly honorarium of ₹2,000, effective from the date of their election. He noted that while past governments had promised ₹1,200, it was never implemented.
Mann reaffirmed the importance of panchayats as pillars of rural governance, saying they serve as the state’s “eyes and ears” and are integral to grassroots development. He called upon elected representatives to fulfill their duties with dedication and neutrality, and to rise above village factionalism to ensure inclusive development.
He also praised villages that elected their panchayats unanimously, stating such actions promote harmony and democratic values.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Mann mentioned the state’s initiative to rejuvenate village ponds for treated water use in agriculture, easing groundwater stress. He shared that canal water usage for irrigation has increased from 21% to 75% under his government, boosting soil fertility and reducing power consumption.
Additionally, the CM presented the Panchayat Advance Index Award to the Gram Panchayat of Village Baloh, Bathinda, for its top performance in rural development. Nine other panchayats, along with unanimously elected ones, Self-Help Groups, and Panchayat Secretaries were also honored for their achievements.
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and other dignitaries attended the event