One lakh sarpanches, panches to be trained in Punjab: Maluka

With the aim to strengthen democracy at the grass roots, Punjab Government has decided to provide accounts, audit and computer training to sarpanches and panches of more than 13,000 villages.
Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Sikander Singh Maluka today said the training programme would begin from November this year to March next year, and it would help the sarpanches to become productive partners in the progress of rural areas of the state.
He said that in the first phase, 48,000 representatives would be provided official training on maintenance of panchayat accounts, auditing, utilisation of funds, and administrative works, according to an official statement.

He said it has been decided to organise training camps at each block. The resource persons of state Rural Development Institute would impart training to sarpanches, panches, and members of Block Samiti and Zila Parishad.
The minister also said that experts from NABARD and co-operatives and Panchayats would give their valuable views.
The minister said a sum of Rs 21 crore has been approved by the Punjab Government for this purpose.
He said this exercise is aimed at ensuring the maximum participation of elected representatives in the development projects and in the implementation of social welfare schemes of the Punjab government.