The amount of grants would now be directly credited in the bank accounts of Panchayats in the state as the Punjab Government has taken this decision with a view to give a boost to ongoing development projects besides bringing transparency in disbursement and use of grants.
Disclosing this here today, Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minster, Punjab said that the Punjab Government has also made the audit of panchayats mandatory to bring further transparency and constructive use of grants. He said that process of direct deposit of grants has been started and a total amount of Rs. 52.93 crore has been directly credited in the bank accounts of Panchayats for the purpose of water supply, sanitation, street lights, cleanliness of ponds and other development works in rural areas. Rakhra said that the issue of delay in disbursement of grants to the Panchayats has come to the notice of department leading to create hurdles in the evelopment projects. He said that online payment of grants to the panchayats would bring more transparency, efficiency in the overall development of rural areas besides eliminating alleged irregularities in use of grants. The Minister said that the amounts would be credited same day in the bank accounts of panchayats through BDPO. Informing about the Audit process of panchayats accounts, Rakhra said that the regular audits of banks accounts would be mandatory and the state government has finalised the process of audit through a pact with Charted Accountant Association.