CM Saini Delivers ₹368 Crore Rural Development Package on Panchayati Raj Day

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini marked National Panchayati Raj Day with a substantial infusion of funds for the state's rural institutions, unveiling development projects worth ₹368 crore during a grand "Gram Utthan Samaroh" in Panchkula on Thursday.

The package includes 923 shovel-ready development works valued at ₹233 crore that were inaugurated on the spot, while foundation stones were laid for 413 additional projects estimated at ₹135 crore. Beyond these infrastructure initiatives, Saini transferred ₹573 crore in stamp duty revenue to local bodies across the state, reaching 22 Zila Parishads, 142 Panchayat Samitis, and 5,388 Gram Panchayats. 

₹18.28 crore specifically assigned for building Mahila Chaupals (women's community centers) in 511 village panchayats. Local elected representatives weren't forgotten either, as ₹1.45 crore was disbursed as honorarium to 411 Zila Parishad members and 3,081 Panchayat Samiti members. 

The event saw the launch of a performance-based incentive scheme called "Mukhyamantri Jagrit Gram Puraskar Yojana," which will reward village panchayats showing excellence in education, healthcare, sanitation, women's empowerment, and other key development indicators. Top performers stand to receive ₹51 lakh, ₹31 lakh, and ₹21 lakh for first, second, and third positions respectively, with funds earmarked for further local development. 

"To strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots, it's important to motivate and equip our Panchayati Raj Institutions," Saini told the gathering. 

Perhaps most impactful for ordinary citizens was the announcement bringing 41,591 new beneficiaries into the state's social security pension net. The Chief Minister facilitated the direct transfer of ₹12.59 crore to these beneficiaries' bank accounts during the event itself. 

CM Saini began the event with two minutes silence for the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack.