Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today concluded the ongoing series of oath administering functions here by administering oath of office to 821 Sarpanches and 4560 Panches and said that the Punjab Government has decided to conduct bi-annual internal performance audit of funds disbursed for villages and wards in Punjab.Answering a query of media persons after administering oath of office to Sarpanches and Panches of Ferozepur district here in Grain Market, Mr. Badal said that it has been decided to conduct internal performance audit of every single penny being spent by Panchayats and Municipal Corporations, Nagar Councils, Block Samitis and Zila Parishads to maintain transparency and accountability. He said that the administrative and technical functioning in this regards has been completed and it has made mandatory to complete this exercise in honest manner besides getting proper utilisations of funds disbursed for development purposes.
Mr. Badal said that with this initiative would be totally different from regular audit being conducted by the Comptroller & Auditor General of India and Punjab to engage top independent audit agencies for this purpose. He said that he has already ordered Finance department to finalise the comprehensive policy in-consultation with other concerned departments so this independent audit could be started by the end of this year.
On being asked about the details of audit, Mr. Badal said that as per the development plan of state government there would be Rs. 24000 crore expended on overall development of over 13000 villages, so that it should be mandatory to conduct independent audit of such a huge money for proper utilization of funds. He said that under this project 100 percent sewerage and supply of potable water for rural population, construction of concrete roads, setting up of sewerage treatment plants, repairing, widening and construction of major and links roads, installation of RO systems, refurbishing of village schools, community centers, construction of public toilets besides distribution of sports kits and setting up of gyms to give a healthy directions to our youth.
When asked about the statement of Haryana cadre IAS Officer Mr. Ashok Khemka that Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi falsified documents for a chunk of land in a village of Gurgaon, Mr. Badal said that not only Vadra but the whole central leadership of Congress Party was day and night busy to commit scams and looting the assets of country. He said that despite Khemka’s repeated revelation in Vadra-DLF deal, Mr. Bhupinder Singh Hooda led Congress government of Haryana did not take any action in this case.
Appreciating the courageous move of Mr. Khemka, Deputy Chief Minister said, “Congress Party is the mother of all scams in the country because after independence this party has been remained in power and Congress is still looting the exchequer.” Mr. Badal said that electorate of country should compare the acts of UPA with NDA in ensuing Lok Sabha Polls and then decide whether they want to go with ‘Destruction of Country’ with congress or development of nation by bringing NDA to power to make India a developed nation.
On being asked about the confrontation erupted between Additional SHO of Mallanwala Police Station Mr. Jagdev Singh with a gang of looters, in which Sub Inspector sustained serious wounds due to opening of fire from other side but he did not left the kingpin, Mr. Badal said that the Punjab Government has lauded the bravery shown by police officer. He said that it has been decided by the state government to promote Mr. Jagdev Singh with the rank of Inspector.Earlier before concluding his ongoing oath administering series, Mr. Badal in his enthusiastic speech from dais said that all the Sarpanches and Panches of Punjab villages should have a vision to execute the ‘Master Plan’ prepared by state government so Punjab CM Mr. Parkash Singh Badal’s dream of holistic and planned development of rural belts could be made true.
Asking Sarpanches and Panches of Punjab to come with the proposals regarding pending development in their respective areas, Mr. Badal said that he has directed Rural Development and Panchayats Department to send the list of proposed development projects in villages to him so he will approve the projects soon,. He also exhorted the elected representatives not to throw-away their energy in petty and party politics and do fight and work for the cause of people, their villages and state.Giving details about the expansion of ongoing welfare schemes and development projects, Mr. Badal said that Punjab is doubling the number of beneficiaries of Atta Daal scheme from 15 lakh families to 30 lakh families besides launching of Scholarship scheme for meritorious students of Rs. 30000, employability allowance of Rs. 1000 to unemployed graduate youth, Rs. 30,000 cashless insurance to all 30 lakh Atta Daal families. He said that state would also provide a health cover to all citizens of Punjab and Special Insurance Cards to be provided to both the beneficiaries of Rs. 30000 insurance scheme and general insurance beneficiaries.
Earlier Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Mr. Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister, Mr. Sher Singh Ghubaya, Member Parliament, Mr. Kamal Sharma, State BJP President also spoke about the pro-people policies of SAD-BJP Government. Mr. Sukhpal Singh Nannu, Foremr CPS, Mr. Ravinder Singh Sandhu Babbal, former MLA and Mr.Vardev Singh Mann were also present.