Ludhiana, November 8: Former Delhi Chief Minister and National convenor of AAP Arvind Kejriwal on Friday gave a clarion call to newly elected Sarpanchs of state to hold gram panchayats in their respective villages for making every decision in full public view to ensure transparency in development works.

Appeals Sarpanchs to perform their duty neutrally without any bias

“It is imperative to ensure optimum utilisation of the public money for the welfare of public and comprehensive development of the villages”, said Kejriwal, who was the chief guest of a state level function in which Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann administered the oath of office to 10031 newly elected Sarpanchs from across the state.

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that the decisions pertaining to development of villages should be taken in gram sabhas for ensuring judicious utilisation of funds. He said that if Sarpanchs perform their duty well then they can transform the destiny of the common man and their villages. Arvind Kejriwal said that the state government will extend full support to the Sarpanchs for every noble cause.

Newly Sarpanchs : Gives clarion call to newly elected Sarpanchs for making villages drug free 

The former Delhi Chief Minister gave clarion call to the Sarpanchs for wiping out the curse of drugs from the state adding that with proactive role of Sarpanchs Punjab will be soon a drug free state. He said that the state government and Punjab Police is committed for this noble cause and no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause. Arvind Kejriwal said that Sarpanchs have a big role to play and they should discharge their duty effectively.

Former Delhi Chief Minister , while congratulating Punjabis for free, fair and transparent polls, welcomed all the Sarpanchs who have converged in the function. He expressed hope that after taking the oath these Sarpanchs will lead their villages to the path of development. Arvind Kejriwal expressed that it is heartening to learn that around 3000 panchayats have elected members unanimously, which will boost village development.

Newly  Sarpanchs have to perform well  and transform their villages in model one

The former Delhi Chief Minister said that Sarpanchs have to perform well  and transform their villages in model one. He said that the Sarpanchs should discharge their duty well in a honest and transparent manner for well being of the villages. Arvind Kejriwal asked the Sarpanchs to take every decision of the after due consultation with the villagers adding that Sarpanchs can play a major role in overall development of the villages.

Meanwhile, in his address the Punjab Chief Minister congratulated all the Sarpanchs for their election to the prestigious post. He said that the recently concluded Panchayat elections have elected 13,147 new panchayats. Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that, in today’s state-level function, 10,031 sarpanches from 19 districts of Punjab are taking the oath.

The Chief Minister announced that the newly elected Sarpanches from Sri Muktsar Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Barnala, and Gurdaspur, along with 81,808 Panches from 23 districts, will take the oath after the by-elections for the four Vidhan Sabha constituencies. He thanked the villages that elected their panchayats unanimously, noting that these villages have prioritized unity and development.

He expressed pride that 3037 villages selected their panchayats unanimously, with Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran leading. Bhagwant Singh Mann emphasized the responsibility entrusted to the Sarpanches and thanked the voters for their active participation in the polls.

Newly  Sarpanchs : People see Panchayati Raj Institutions as the ‘lighthouse of democracy.’

The Chief Minister said that Panchayats are known as the ‘foundations of democracy’ because they hold immense power, and their decisions are respected and obeyed by the entire village. 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. The Chief Minister said that Panchayats hold immense power, making them the ‘foundations of democracy,’ and that the entire village respects and obeys their decisions.

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 state government frames the policies, and Sarpanches/Panches play a major role in implementing them at the ground level. Bhagwant Singh Mann urged all Sarpanchs to rededicate themselves for the development works from today.

Sarpanchs should ensure supervision of public importance works

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 gave clarion call to Sarpanchs that they should remain away from any sort of undue interference in these works. He called it very unfortunate that widespread groupism in the villages has jeopardized several works. . Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Sarpanchs must accord top priority to abolish group ism in the villages.

Newly sarpanch should treat every resident of village equally

The Chief Minister said that in a democracy the person or party who attains majority is the winner but once elected Sarpanch belongs to whole village. He said that sarpanch should treat every resident of 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 to Newly Sarpanchs 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 partner in 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 a bridge between government and the villages

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 to developing and progressing the villages and is sparing no effort in this noble cause.   Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Sarpanches are a bridge between government and the villages and you should play a big role in development of villages.

The Chief Minister assured Newly Sarpanchs  that there is no dearth of funds for undertaking developmental work in villages. He asked the Newly Sarpanchs  to prioritise the development work of their villages so the state government can start the work.  Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the panchayats must pass resolution for holistic development of the villages adding that state government will leave no stone unturned for it.

CM  urged all to play a proactive role in transforming the villages

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.

state government has given more than 45000 jobs

The Chief Minister said that the state government has given more than 45000 jobs to the youth of the state in a transparent manner. He said that 90% households of the state are getting free power due to the concerted efforts of the Punjab government. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that state government has roped in a number of top industrialists like Tata steel and others who will provide jobs to the local youth.

AAP government is focusing solely on development.

The Chief Minister said that while earlier governments plundered the wealth of the state and country, the AAP government is focusing solely on development. He said that AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal has shown a new way to people and the state government is working as per his vision to benefit the people. Bhagwant Singh Mann assured the people that the state government will ensure progress of the state and prosperity of people.

On the occasion Cabinet Ministers, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs and other dignitaries were also present.