Sarpanches can now execute development projects upto Rs.21 lakh without e-tendering

Honorarium of Safai Karamchari in rural and urban areas increased by Rs. 1000 per month

Chandigarh, July 2 – Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh, while making several announcements for Panchayat representatives, declared that Sarpanches can now undertake development works up to Rs 21 lakhs in their Gram Panchayats without e-tendering. Previously this limit was Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the Chief Minister announced that Sarpanchs can now claim travel expenses at a rate of Rs 16 per kilometer when using their car or taxi for Gram Panchayat work. The BDPO will now approve the bill for claiming TA/DA.

Chief Minister  Nayab Singh made these announcements while addressing Panchayat representatives from across the state at the State-Level Panchayati Raj and Sarpanch Sammelan organized in Kurukshetra today.

The Chief Minister addressed the issue faced by Gram Panchayats regarding the cost of soil filling, announcing that once the Gram Panchayat passes and sends the resolution for soil filling, the government will now include this cost in the work estimate. Previously, the work estimate did not include the cost of soil filling, necessitating that either MNREGA or the village cover the expenses for the filling work.

Junior engineer to prepare and upload estimate within 10 days

To address the issue of junior engineers not preparing estimates for several months, the Chief Minister announced that once the Sarpanch uploads a resolution passed by the Panchayat for any development work on the HEW portal, the junior engineer must prepare and upload the estimate within 10 days. This measure aims to expedite the pace of development works.

Lawyers’ fees for pleading court cases significantly increased

Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh announced an increase in the prescribed fees for lawyers handling court cases. The government will raise the fee for lawyers at the district or sub-division level from Rs 1,100 to Rs 5,500, and increase the fee for cases in the High Court and Supreme Court from Rs 5,500 to Rs 33,000.

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the expenditure limit from the Panchayat Fund for events organized by the Gram Panchayat.

The government will increase the limit for Independence Day and Republic Day events, as well as programs organized for the visit of any special officer or minister, from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000.

Similarly, the government will increase the limit for expenses related to purchasing the national flag, distributing sweets on national festivals, and publicizing Panchayat activities from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

Sarpanches will now be included in the protocol list

Additionally, the Chief Minister announced that Sarpanches will now be included in the protocol list for government programs held in villages.

Sarpanches will sit with the DC and SP during these events.

Honorarium of Safai Karamcharis increased by Rs 1000 per month

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also announced an increase in the monthly honorarium of Safai Karamcharis in rural and urban areas by Rs 1000.

Village governance is a robust picture of democracy

Describing village governance as a strong picture of democracy, the Chief Minister stated that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has set a target of making India a developed nation by the year 2047. To achieve this goal, it is crucial for every village to be developed. The Chief Minister assured that the state government will ensure there is no shortage of funds to accelerate pace of development in the villages.

Referring to the discrimination by previous governments in village development, the Chief Minister said that they often avoided allocating funds for this purpose. Before 2014, the State Finance Commission grant for Panchayats was Rs 600 crore. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, this grant for Haryana has increased to Rs 2968 crore. Furthermore, the budget for the financial year 2024-25 allocates Rs 7276.77 crore for rural development, a substantial increase from Rs 1898.48 crore allocated during the year 2013-14 under the previous government.

3000 computer operators engaged in Gram Panchayats

Referring to the various powers provided to Panchayati Raj institutions, Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh stated that the current government is continuously working to strengthen these institutions. In addition to ensuring 50 percent representation for women, the state is upgrading its educated Panchayats. The current government has hired 3,000 computer operators for Gram Panchayats. Furthermore, Gram Panchayats now have the authority to purchase a desktop, printer, and UPS through GeM using their own funds, empowering them to modernize, become IT-enabled, and efficiently manage central and state-level portals.

He further mentioned that to expedite development works, the state government has decided that unregistered contractors will now be able to undertake work up to Rs 50 lakhs in a year.If these contractors complete the works on time, they will be eligible to undertake projects worth Rs 1 crore the following year.

State govt supporting Sarpanches in their efforts to drive development – Mahipal Dhanda

Addressing the state-level program, Minister of State for Development and Panchayat,Mahipal Dhanda stated that this gathering is empowering Sarpanches with various powers to facilitate development works in gram panchayats. He acknowledged the challenges faced by Sarpanches and assured that the issues are being addressed today. Stressing the importance of enabling our village representatives, he affirmed that without proper arrangements, accelerating development works is challenging. He expressed confidence that the collective efforts of Panchayat representatives will transform the landscape of Haryana in coming days and they will leave no stone unturned in supporting the state government in the upcoming assembly elections.

Only Sarpanch can ensure quality in development works in rural areas – Subhash Sudha

Earlier, while addressing the program, Minister of State for Urban Local Bodies, Sh. Subhash Sudha referred to Sarpanches as small MLAs and highlighted their dedicated service to rural communities day and night. He emphasized that a Sarpanch’s quality of development work cannot be matched by a contractor.  He also urged them to make the most of their visit to the sacred land of Dharma Nagari Kurukshetra by visiting all the pilgrimage sites.

Earlier, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Commissioner and Secretary of the Development and Panchayat Department, welcomed all the Panchayat representatives on behalf of the Chief Minister. He highlighted the various developmental schemes that the department is implementing in rural areas.

Deputy Speaker of Haryana Vidhan Sabha Ranbir Gangwa, Education Minister Seema Trikha, Public Health Engineering Minister Dr. Banwari Lal, MLAs Laxman Yadav, Sitaram Yadav, Rajesh Nagar, Nirmal Chaudhary, Dura Ram, Krishan Middha, Jogiram Sihag, former MLA Bakhshish Singh Virk, former Minister Karandev Kamboj, former MP Sunita Duggal and other dignitaries were also present on this occasion.