Punjab Cabinet Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa today said that the Congress-led state government has zero tolerance for corruption and any person found indulging in it would be dealt strictly. He said that while administering oath to the newly elected Panches, Sarpanches, Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members at a District-level function organised in the sports ground in village Kila Raipur, near here today. He also administered oath to all under DAPO programme.While addressing the gathering, Mr Bajwa urged the newly elected Panches, Sarpanches, Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members to work wholeheartedly for the development of their villages/areas, which would ultimately lead to the overall development of the state. He also asked them to visit some of the model villages such as Seechewal, which is being nurtured by world renowned environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal and see how a model village can be developed keeping in mind ways to save our environment as well. He also asked them to work in a transparent manner so that the funds provided for development are utilised properly.
He assured that there is no shortage of funds with the state government when it comes to development. He announced the first instalment of Rs 24 crore for development of villages of Ludhiana district would reach the District Administration in next few days. He urged the government as well as police officials to give full respect to the Panches and Sarpanches when they come to their offices for any work.
The Minister said that it was Capt Amarinder Singh led government in Punjab which gave 50% reservation to women because the entire cabinet wants the women to participate in decision making when it comes to the development of our state. He also stated that very soon, all villages of the state would have proper sewerage, along with other such basic amenities. He urged the elected representatives to focus on areas where people from economically weaker sections of society reside. He also asked them to take full use of MGNREGA scheme for carrying out development projects in their respective villages/areas.Mr Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa also said that to check corruption at any level, people should use social media platforms such as Whatsapp in a positive manner.During his address, Ludhiana MP Mr Ravneet Singh Bittu said that to check corruption, the state government is keeping a close watch on the activities of all elected representatives as well as government officials. He urged all the elected representatives to ensure public funds are utilised in effective manner so that our state can prosper.Others who also addressed the gathering included Gill MLA Mr Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Khanna MLA Mr Gurkirat Singh Kotli, Payal MLA Mr Lakhvir Singh Lakha and Samrala MLA Mr Amrik Singh Dhillon.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal, ADC (Development) Dr Shena Aggarwal, senior Congress leaders Mrs Satwinder Kaur Bitti, Dr Amar Singh, former minister Mr Malkit Singh Dakha, Mr Kamaljit Singh Karwal, DCC (Rural) President Mr Karanjit Singh Soni Galib, Mr Ranjit Singh Mangat besides several others.