Funds to directly reach 5,719 Gram Panchayats, 144 Panchayat Samitis and 3 Zila Parishads
Panchayati Raj Institutions receive Rs 3,700 Crore in support over four years
Strong local decision-making will ensure more effective development- CM
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini today released Rs 404 crore 79 lakh as the second installment of the State Finance Commission's grant to the state’s Panchayati Raj Institutions, marking a significant boost to rural development. The amount will be transferred directly to the accounts of 5,719 Gram Panchayats, 144 Panchayat Samitis, and 3 Zila Parishads, providing new impetus to development work and strengthening public facilities at the local level.
The Chief Minister released this grant during a press conference held here today. Development and Panchayat Minister Krishan Lal Panwar, SEWA Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi, and Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma were also present on this occasion.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to rural development, the Chief Minister said that over the past four years, Rs3,700 crore has been allocated to Panchayati Raj Institutions, with Rs3,300 crore directly invested in rural infrastructure and public amenities. He said that these figures demonstrate that every rupee of the government’s funds is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for rural citizens.
He said that the government’s approach goes beyond fund allocation, aiming to empower Panchayats with greater authority, resources, and responsibilities, in line with the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. When elected village representatives are empowered with both resources and authority, they can better understand local needs and make effective development decisions, he said.
The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the Panchayats will utilize these funds transparently and implement schemes with public participation. Stronger decision-making capacity at the local level ensures more comprehensive and effective development outcomes, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary Home and Revenue Department Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary of Energy Department Apoorva Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Commissioner and Secretary of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department Dr. Amit Kumar Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. Saket Kumar, Director General of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department K. Makarand Pandurang, Director General of Development and Panchayat Department D.K. Behera, Deputy Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Yashpal and other officers were also present on this occasion.