Chandigarh, December 16: The Punjab government is set to expand its citizen service delivery infrastructure with 54 new Sewa Kendras across the state.
With this expansion, the total number of Punjab Sewa Kendras will rise to 598, strengthening last-mile governance.
The announcement was made by Good Governance and Information Technology Minister Aman Arora during a high-level review meeting.
The meeting focused on citizen service delivery performance and Sewa Kendra operations across Punjab.
The initiative follows Punjab’s recent achievement of recording the lowest pendency in service delivery in India.
Officials said the expansion aligns with the state’s goal of zero pendency and time-bound public services.
The meeting took place at Maharaja Gaj Singh Institute of Public Administration (MGSIPA) in Chandigarh.
All Deputy Commissioners joined the meeting through video conferencing for statewide coordination.
Punjab’s Sewa Kendra Network Shows Strong Performance
Currently, Punjab operates 544 functional Sewa Kendras, spread across urban and rural areas.
Of these, 263 centres operate in urban areas, while 281 function in rural regions.
These centres collectively provide 465 Government-to-Citizen services under various departments.
Additionally, citizens can access seven Business-to-Citizen services through the same platform.
During the meeting, officials reviewed service-wise pendency, objections, and processing timelines.
Notably, the number of send-back cases has reduced significantly, indicating smoother processing.
Officials attributed this improvement to reduced unnecessary objections and better digital workflows.
Moreover, enhanced monitoring has helped standardise service delivery across districts.
The Punjab Sewa Kendras operate on a self-sustainable model, ensuring long-term efficiency.
This model has helped the state scale services without compromising quality or speed.
Aman Arora Reiterates Zero-Pendency Goal
Addressing the Deputy Commissioners, Aman Arora reiterated the government’s zero-pendency commitment.
He directed district administrations to ensure all services are delivered within stipulated timelines.
The minister also announced performance-based incentives for high-performing districts.
Officials achieving zero pendency will receive formal recognition from the state government.
This approach aims to encourage accountability and competition among district administrations.
Moreover, it aligns with the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government’s governance reforms.
Arora highlighted Punjab’s success in digitising field verification processes across departments.
He praised district administrations for onboarding 100 percent verification authorities.
These include Patwaris, Sarpanches, Nambardars, and Municipal Council officials.
They now use E-Sewa, M-Sewa, and WhatsApp platforms for online verification.
Online Verification Boosts Efficiency Across Punjab
According to official data, nearly four lakh applications were submitted for online verification.
Out of these, 96.3 percent applications have already been processed successfully.
This digital shift has reduced delays and eliminated manual bottlenecks.
Additionally, citizens now receive faster updates and fewer rejection notices.
The government believes online verification has significantly improved transparency and trust.
Moreover, it has reduced physical visits to offices, saving time for citizens.
Arora instructed officials to maintain this momentum across all districts.
He stressed that technology-driven governance remains a top priority.
Deadline Set for New Sewa Kendras and New Portals Launched
The minister issued clear directions regarding infrastructure timelines for new centres.
He said all construction activities must finish by January 15, 2026.
District administrations were asked to monitor progress closely to avoid delays.
The government aims to make the new centres operational immediately after completion.
Meanwhile, Punjab has also launched the “Sarkar Tuhade Dwaar” programme.
The initiative brings essential government services closer to citizens’ homes.
Additionally, the state has launched a citizen service delivery portal, connect.punjab.gov.in.
The portal improves accessibility, user experience, and service tracking.
Officials said these reforms collectively strengthen Punjab’s digital governance ecosystem.
The expansion of Punjab Sewa Kendras plays a central role in this transformation.