Punjab Government Reaffirms Commitment to Basic Facilities and Clean Civic Services in Statewide Development Push
Chandigarh, January 9: The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has reinforced its commitment to providing essential services, a clean environment, and robust civic amenities for all citizens. In a recent review meeting led by Balkar Singh, Punjab’s Minister of Local Government, officials were urged to expedite ongoing development projects and ensure their quality and transparency.
The meeting, held at Municipal Bhawan in Chandigarh, included a detailed assessment of development projects across multiple areas, including Mansa, Boha, Budhlada, Breta, Bhikhi, Joga, Sardulgarh, Malot, Giddarbaha, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bariwala, Faridkot, and Jaito. Addressing senior officials, Balkar Singh emphasized the Chief Minister’s vision of creating a “Rangla Punjab,” a prosperous and vibrant Punjab, by improving basic amenities and environmental standards.
Minister Balkar Singh directed officials to fast-track projects funded under the Swachh Bharat Mission and the AMRUT Mission, stressing the need for effective utilization of resources. He reiterated the government’s commitment to civic improvements, saying that achieving this goal requires coordinated efforts among all departments to complete projects on time and ensure they meet the state’s quality standards.
During the meeting, Minister Singh discussed the importance of efficient fund allocation and utilization. He instructed officials to utilize available funds effectively and warned that unused funds under various schemes must be allocated to active projects promptly. Strict action will be taken against any officials who fail to meet these directives, as the government seeks to prevent project delays and ensure transparency in the use of public resources.
Key environmental concerns, such as sewage management and waste disposal, were also high on the agenda. The Minister urged local authorities to maintain clean sewage systems and ensure responsible disposal of legacy waste to promote a pollution-free environment. Additionally, he assured officials of adequate funding for these projects, advising them to submit a detailed action plan if more financial support is required to meet environmental goals.
The meeting also featured collaboration between government officials and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs). Minister Singh briefed MLAs on the allocation of funds for various development programs, encouraging them to share updates with their constituencies to maintain accountability. He emphasized that providing MLAs with this information allows them to address issues promptly and offer a transparent development process to the public.
In a strong message to officials, Minister Balkar Singh stressed the importance of quality and transparency in development initiatives. The goal, he noted, is to elevate Punjab’s infrastructure to meet international standards, ensuring that projects are not only completed but also held to high benchmarks of performance. Local MLAs, including Buddha Ram, Amolak Singh, Gurpreet Singh Bananwali, and Jagdeep Singh Kaka Brar, along with representatives from various municipal councils and the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Corporation (PMIDC), participated in the meeting. Other senior officials, including Deepti Uppal, CEO of PMIDC, were also present, showing a united front to push these development plans forward.
The Punjab government’s drive to provide enhanced civic services reflects its commitment to transforming urban and rural areas across the state, fulfilling the Chief Minister’s vision of a developed, sustainable, and accessible “Rangla Punjab.” Minister Balkar Singh expressed optimism that, with collective efforts and a focus on quality, the state can achieve its goal of becoming a cleaner, greener, and more efficient Punjab, with services that support the well-being of every resident.
