CHANDIGARH: 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.