Punjab govt reviews development plan for villages

Accompanied by Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister, Badal reviewed the ambitious programme drawn up for ensuring physical and economic infrastructure that would help deliver quality services in the 12,673 villages.

The SAD-BJP government was committed to improving the quality of life in rural areas to check growing migration of people to urban areas, Badal said.

Focus was on development for the benefit of the deprived population, including marginal farmers, landless labourers and Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes, he said.

This plan envisaged provision of concrete streets up to Firnis (outer boundaries), provision of low costs small bore size sewerage system in every village and renovation and rejuvenation of village ponds, besides strengthening the existing assets of Panchayats, he said.

62.51 per cent of Punjab's population was living in rural areas and all villages in 145 blocks had been divided into five phases, he said, adding that integrated development of each village would be ensured in one go.

Rakhra informed the meeting that according to initial estimation on the basis of a statewide survey conducted by the department, it has been calculated that Rs 1,36,80,000 per village would be required for the small bore size sewerage system. Rs 68,40,000 per village would be needed for making all lanes concrete and providing surface drains.