Mann Government Achieves Key Milestones in Rural Development and Panchayati Progress

Rural Growth – Land Reclamation, E-Governance, and Welfare Initiatives
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayats in Punjab achieved remarkable milestones in 2024, stated Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond. Notable among these is the clearance of 12,809 acres of Panchayati land from illegal encroachments since the campaign began in 2022. The reclaimed land, valued at over ₹3,080 crore, has significantly bolstered the state’s rural economy. Of this, approximately 6,000 acres were leased in 2024-25, generating an annual income of ₹10.76 crore.
Additionally, 1.36 lakh acres of Shamlat land were auctioned, yielding ₹469 crore, while e-auctions of livestock markets contributed ₹93.90 crore in revenue.
To promote literacy, the Mann Government initiated the Rural Library Scheme in 2024. The first library, inaugurated by the Chief Minister on August 15 in Issru village, has since paved the way for 114 operational rural libraries, with 179 more under development.
The department also conducted Panchayat elections in 2024, during which 3,044 panchayats were elected unanimously. These panchayats will receive financial assistance to implement welfare initiatives as per the Chief Minister’s announcement.
Under the MGNREGA scheme, ₹983.98 crore was spent during 2024-25, generating 2.15 crore person-days of employment for an average of 7.02 lakh rural families. Furthermore, the state saw the plantation of 95.03 lakh saplings and the completion of 2,461 sports grounds, with work on 1,623 more ongoing.
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) also witnessed significant progress, with 5,166 houses constructed at a cost of ₹62 crore in the current financial year. By its end, 18,000 houses, worth ₹220 crore, are expected to be completed, and 25,000 more will follow in 2025-26. A fresh survey for identifying new beneficiaries began on November 1, 2024, with surveyors deployed across villages.
Minister Sond emphasized the department’s commitment to aesthetic improvements in villages, solid and liquid waste management, and overall rural development. With these initiatives, the Mann Government is strengthening rural Punjab’s socio-economic fabric.
Photo Caption: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurating the rural “Digital Library” and interacting with school children on August 15, 2024, at Issru village near Khanna.