Chandigarh, April 1 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann presented a report card of his government's work in rural development and panchayats on Wednesday, highlighting increased spending on village development in the state.
Addressing the media under the 'Shandaar Char Saal Bhagwant Mann de naal' campaign, Mann said that in the past four years, his government spent Rs 3,847 crore on rural development, compared to Rs 1,883 crore spent during the previous Congress government.
He was accompanied by Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond.
The chief minister further stated that Rs 1,030 crore was spent on panchayat buildings, libraries, Anganwadi centers, sports grounds, streets, and other development projects in villages.
He said that Rs 1,336 crore was spent on drinking water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, and other projects. "These funds were released through district councils, panchayat committees, and panchayats," he added.
Mann further stated that 3,000 sports grounds are being developed across the state, requiring an outlay of Rs 1,166 crore.
"Work is underway on 2,400 sports grounds," he said, adding that it would be completed by June.
He also stated that 500 panchayat buildings have been constructed at a cost of Rs 125 crore, and 231 rural libraries have been established in villages.
On the issue of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), he said that Rs 5,146 crore has been spent in the past four years, compared to Rs 4,708 crore spent between 2017-2022.
Mann added that a total of 63,357 new job cards were issued under MGNREGA in 2025-26.
The chief minister also said that his government had previously passed a resolution in the state Assembly against the changes made to the MGNREGA scheme by the Centre.
Mann said that work on cleaning 17,080 village ponds is underway. "So far, the dewatering of 13,414 village ponds has been completed," he added.
Villages are supporting the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, he said, referring to his government's anti-drug drive. "Many villages in the state are now 100 per cent free from drugs," he claimed.
Mann said that his government had increased the honorarium of 'sarpanches' from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000.