Centre hikes allocation for rural development sector in Punjab

Centre has hiked allocation for the rural development sector by 140 per cent to Rs 4,091 crore under the 14th Finance Commission.
It had sanctioned Rs 1,700 crore sanctioned during the 13th Finance Commission.
The state would get a major chunk of funds to the tune of Rs 4,091 crore under the 14th Finance Commission during the next five years (2015-2020) and Rs 700 crore would be disbursed during the current fiscal, said Union Minister of State for Panchayati, Raj Nihal Chand.
Chand, who called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his official residence today said, Centre has enhanced the share of the state for its glorious track record of optimum utilisation of funds to carry out development works in rural areas.

He assured Badal that NDA government would give fulsome support and cooperation to transform the rural scene in the state by providing the best basic civic amenities to improve their quality of life.
The Union Minister, who visited Singhpura village in Ropar district, expressed satisfaction over the development activities being carried out by the state government for ensuring its holistic growth.

He said that Punjab was today the torch bearer for the country in the area of rural development.
Seeking whole hearted assistance of the Centre for further fillip to the development of rural areas, the Chief Minister envisaged a proven technology for the cleaning of ponds in villages which had posed a major challenge to the health of villagers.

Badal said the contaminated water of these ponds was creating a mess for the people due to which timely action was required to eradicate this problem.
Stressing that the state government was fully committed to overcome this big hurdle, he said no stone would be left unturned for the cause.
The CM also solicited the support of Nihal Chand for relaxing the norms under NREGA scheme allowing Panchayat members and other public representatives to contribute funds in development works, an official spokesperson said.
Responding to Badal's request the Union Minister assured that he would soon send a team of senior officers headed by Director of NREGA to interact with the Deputy Commissioners to make them understand the intricacies of the various ongoing schemes run by the Panchayati Raj Ministry.