Punjab, Newsline, Chandigarh, December 28-
The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats achieved several significant milestones in 2024. Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond stated that since the campaign to remove illegal encroachments on Panchayati land began in 2022, 12,809 acres of land have been reclaimed and handed over to panchayats by 2024. The market value of this reclaimed land exceeds Rs. 3,080 crore. Out of this, approximately 6,000 acres have been leased, generating an annual income of Rs. 10.76 crore during 2024-25.
Additionally, during 2024-25, the department auctioned 1.36 lakh acres of Shamlat land for Rs. 469 crore. Similarly, revenue of Rs. 93.90 crore was generated by leasing livestock markets through e-auctions.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond mentioned that realizing CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of establishing libraries in villages, the Department initiated the Rural Library Scheme from the village of Issru (Khanna) in 2024. The CM inaugurated the first library on August 15 and interacted with school children. Currently, 114 rural libraries are functional across Punjab, and 179 are in progress.
