*Rural Development & Panchayat Minister thanks CM Bhagwant Singh Mann for enhanced budgetary support to strengthen rural development and tourism schemes*
*• ₹1500-CR for Rural Employment Scheme, ₹312-CR for Tirath Yatra*
Chandigarh, March 8:
Punjab Rural Development & Panchayat and Tourism Minister S. Tarunpreet Singh Sondh today expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for making adequate budgetary provisions for key rural welfare schemes in the State Budget, which will further accelerate development in rural Punjab. The minister also thanked them for enhancing the budget for tourism and cultural affairs department as the government is resolved to fulfil the spiritual aspirations of Punjabis apart from celebrating religious events with deep reverence and devotion.
Thanking the Chief Minister for prioritising rural development, Sondh said that the Punjab Government under the leadership of Bhagwant Singh Mann remains firmly committed to strengthening rural livelihoods, creating durable assets in villages and ensuring inclusive growth across the state.
The Minister welcomed the budgetary outlay of ₹1,500 crore proposed for the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act during the financial year 2026-27. He said that the scheme continues to play a vital role in providing livelihood security to rural households while generating employment and supporting the creation of durable assets in villages.
Sondh said that during the current year, around ₹1,100 crore has already been spent under the scheme, generating approximately 223 lakh mandays of employment for rural workers. He added that the adequate budgetary provision made by the State Government will ensure continuity of works, timely payment of wages and sustained livelihood support to the rural population.
The Minister also welcomed the allocation for rural housing under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). He said that Punjab Government has significantly accelerated the implementation of the scheme and during the current year housing support has been extended to about 76,000 families, including nearly 30,000 families affected by floods.
Sondh further said that the Government’s proposal to cover another one lakh houses under PMAY (Gramin) during the financial year 2026-27, with an allocation of ₹800 crore, will provide dignified housing to thousands of rural families in Punjab.
Sondh also welcomed the announcements made in the Tourism and Cultural Affairs sector. He said the Punjab Government has decided to commemorate the 650th Birth Anniversary of Guru Ravidas as a state-level observance during FY 2026-27. The primary celebrations will be held at the Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Memorial Complex, revered as the Tap Asthan of Guru Ravidas Ji, and various programmes will be organised throughout the year across the state to honour his teachings of equality, devotion and social harmony. An allocation of ₹100 crore has been earmarked for these commemorative events.
The minister further appreciated the State Government’s initiative of the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme aimed at fulfilling the spiritual aspirations of the people of Punjab, especially senior citizens and economically weaker sections. Under this scheme, free and fully supported pilgrimages are being organised to major religious destinations including Sri Harmandir Sahib and Sri Anandpur Sahib. For FY 2026-27, a provision of ₹312 crore has been made to facilitate pilgrimages for nearly 7.15 lakh citizens.
Reiterating his gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister, the Rural Development and Panchayats Minister said that these budgetary provisions clearly reflect the Punjab Government’s strong commitment towards the holistic development of the state, particularly rural areas, while simultaneously promoting Punjab’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
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