Ludhiana, November 8:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann administered the oath of office to newly elected 10031 sarpanches during a mega event held at Dhanansu in Ludhiana on Friday.
The event was graced by former Delhi CM and AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal.
Mann congratulated all the Sarpanchs for their election to the prestigious post. He said that in the recently concluded elections for Panchayats, 13147 new panchayats have been elected.
Today, 10031 sarpanches from 19 districts of Punjab are being administered oath while the oath taking ceremony of other newly elected Sarpanches of remaining four districts namely Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Barnala and Gurdaspur and of 81,808 newly elected Panches of 23 districts will be held after the by-elections of four Vidhan Sabha constituencies namely Giddarbaha, Chabewal, Barnala and Dera Baba Nanak.
While expressing gratitude to the villages who have elected panchayats unanimously, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these villages have risen above the parochial considerations and elected their sarpanchs unanimously to strengthen ethos of harmony and brotherhood in villages on one hand and ensuring their comprehensive development on the other.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the panchayats of 3037 villages were selected unanimously in the state and Ferozepur district took the lead by selecting 336 panchayats unanimously followed by Gurdaspur (335) and Tarn Taran (334). He said that the wise voters of Punjab have bestowed a huge responsibility to all Sarpanchs and they should discharge it meticulously. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he was indebted to the voters of the state who have enthusiastically participated in these polls in a free and fair manner.
The Chief Minister said that Panchayats are known as ‘foundations of democracy’ as they have immense power and its decisions are obeyed by the entire village respectfully. He said that now when people of state have given Sarpanchs this power, so it is their bounden duty to safeguard their interests and cherish their aspirations. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that around 70% of the population of our country lives in villages due to which Panchayati Raj Institutions are seen as ‘lighthouse of democracy’.
The Chief Minister said that these institutions act as a catalyst for disseminating the benefits of pro-people and development oriented schemes of state government at grassroots level. He said that the policies are framed by the state government and Sarpanches/ Panches play a major role in implementing them at ground level. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged all Sarpanchs to rededicate themselves for the development works from today.
CM urges Sarpanchs to eliminate groupism from villages
The Chief Minister said that Schools, dispensaries, veterinary hospitals and several other works of public importance are already under direct supervision of panchayats. Likewise, he said that various works pertaining to development of villages are also undertaken under their guidance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanchs should ensure supervision of these works and services in a dedicated manner.
The Chief Minister made a clarion call to Sarpanchs that they should remain away from any sort of undue interference in these works. He said that it is very unfortunate that several works in villages are jeopardised due to widespread groupism in the villages. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Sarpanchs must accord top priority to abolish groupism in the villages.
The Chief Minister said that in a democracy the person or party who attains majority is the winner but once elected Sarpanch belongs to the whole village. He said that sarpanch should treat every resident of the village equally and decisions must be taken neutrally. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that there are several sarpanches of the village who have transformed their villages with their wiseness and farsightedness.
The Chief Minister said that every third house in our village of the NRIs and the Sarpanch should come forward and coordinate with the NRIs to ensure that they become active partners in the development of villages. He said that Sarpanchs should also accord major thrust on making their villages drug free to wean away the youth from menace of drugs. Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that Sarpanchs should also work hard for cementing the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood in the villages.
Sarpanches are bridge between govt and villages – CM Mann
The Chief Minister said that it is imperative to give further fillip to the pace of development and prosperity in the villages. He said that the Punjab government is committed for overall development and progress of the villages and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches are a bridge between the government and the villages and you should play a big role in the development of villages.
The Chief Minister assured Sarpanchs that there is no dearth of funds for undertaking developmental work in villages. He asked the Sarpanchs to prioritise the development work of their villages so that the state government can get the work started on it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the panchayats must pass a resolution for holistic development of the villages adding that the state government will leave no stone unturned for it.
The Chief Minister urged all to play a proactive role in transforming the villages of the state by starting a constructive campaign so that we can carve out a Rangla Punjab. He also asked the Sarpanchs to work hard for making villages clean, green and pollution free. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that health, education, power, water and infrastructure are top five priorities of his government.