new delhi, April 2
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, Chief Minister Mann said holistic development of villages has taken place over the last four years, involving massive construction work and the cleaning of ponds. He added that the state has also generated revenue by removing illegal encroachments from government lands and through other means. He said due to the state’s sustained efforts, there has been an increase in consensus during panchayat elections. Of the 13,236 panchayats in Punjab, elections were conducted in 2024, with a large number elected unanimously. In 2018, around 1,870 panchayats were elected unanimously, whereas in 2024, the number rose to 2,970. This increase of 1,100 panchayats has strengthened communal harmony in villages and ensured their holistic development. The Chief Minister said, informing that the Government has enhanced the honorarium of sarpanches from ?1,200 to ?2,000 per month,
He added that under the 15th Finance Commission for Rural Development, ?2,367.64 crore was spent in 2025–26, which is double the amount spent in 2024–25. During 2017–22, ?1,883 crore was spent on village development over five years, whereas the state government has spent ?3,847 crore in the last four years.
The Chief Minister said that Rs 1,030.94 crore was spent on panchayat buildings, libraries, anganwadi centres, playgrounds, streets, drains, and other development works. He further said that Rs 1,336.70 crore was spent on drinking water, water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and essential services, with funds released through Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and panchayats. The Chief Minister added that the Punjab Government has increased income from leasing shamlat land in villages. Illegal encroachments on panchayat land were removed, thereby boosting state revenue.
