Punjab minister administers oath of office to newly elected zila parishad, block samiti members in Patiala

Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh administered the oath of office to 23 members of the zila parishad and 184 members of 10 block samitis of Patiala district.

MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann and Gurlal Ghanour, Sanaur halka in-charge Ranjodh Singh Hadana and ADC (Rural Development) Damanjit Singh Mann were also present on the occasion.

The minister urged the newly elected members to go among the people, ensure government schemes reach the grassroots level, and come forward to resolve public issues.

At Guru Teg Bahadur Hall of Punjabi University, addressing the gathering, the minister congratulated the new members and said regardless of political affiliation, they must give priority to development of villages.

He said due to power granted under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, zila parishad and block samiti members receive 30 per cent of development funds. Any member, who brings a proposal for development of his/her village, would receive full support from the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, he said.

The minister informed that taking the health revolution forward, the Punjab Government had decided to send doctors and medicines to 2,500 additional villages. He said these villages had already been selected.

“The government has already provided cashless treatment up to Rs 10 lakh to 65 lakh families under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana,” he said.

Dr Balbir Singh added that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided to provide sugar, turmeric, oil and pulses along with wheat to 40 lakh needy families. He said cooperative sugar mills in the state would function to produce sugar within Punjab and the production of pulses and oilseeds would also be increased in the state.

MLAs Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Ghanour, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann and Ranjodh Singh Hadana congratulated all newly elected members. They said under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government was developing all regions —villages and cities — without any discrimination. They urged members to prioritise spreading awareness of the government’s achievements among the people.

While welcoming everyone, ADC Damanjit Singh Mann, assured that the district administration would fully support the district council and block samiti members as per the directions of the Chief Minister and under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Varjit Walia.

Improvement Trust chairman Harpal Singh Virk, block samiti chairman Samana Balkar Singh Gajumajra, zila parishad deputy CEO Amandeep Kaur, District Development and Panchayat Officer Mahinderjit Singh, all BDPOs and other dignitaries were also present during the ceremony.