DW Bureau  | Satauj (Sangrur): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday exhorted the people of state to outrightly reject those people who are  using money and muscle power during the ensuing panchayat elections.

Addressing the gathering during a visit to his village, the Chief Minister said that panchayat polls are the basis of democratic system in the country. He said that the these elections are aimed at making people part of the democracy at the grass root level. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for ensuring these polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

The Chief Minister said that people should make consensus about the candidates to be elected in the panchayats. He said that the people should discourage the use of money and muscle power in these polls thereby becoming an integral part of democratic process. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann said it will help in holistic development of villages across the state besides cementing ethos of communal harmony and brotherhood in them.

The Chief Minister said that Panchayat elections in the state are being contested by the  candidates without party symbol. He said that this will remove groupism in the villages and ensure comprehensive development of the rural areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has taken a path breaking decision to debar the candidates from contesting elections on party symbols in larger public interests.

The Chief Minister announced that any village who will elect the panchayats unanimously will get a grant of Rs 5 lakh along with stadium, school or hospital whatever is needed. He also urged the villagers to set an example in state by electing their panchayat unanimously adding that he has left no stone unturned for development of his 

native village.

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that further too there will be no dearth of funds for development in the village and it will emerge as a model village of the state.

The Chief Minister said that the state government wants to strengthen the panchayti raj system for which intelligent and honest people must be elected. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that these efforts of the state government will produce desired results and people will be benefited from it. He said that villages across the state will be given a facelift by pumping in more funds for development adding that no stone should be left unturned for it.

The Chief Minister said that poverty will not be eliminated merely through lip service of leaders but it can be eradicated with empowerment of common man. He said that education is the key that can pull  people out of poverty by raising their standard of living. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is tirelessly making efforts to empower the youth of state by providing them jobs adding that so far more than 44000 jobs have been given to youth.

The Chief Minister said that the panchayats are foundation of democratic system and it will be strengthened by all means. He said that Sarpanchs should be elected for the villages and not for any political party or group. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government wants to ensure that the panchayats act as a catalyst for the development of villages and prosperity of its people.

The Chief Minister said that many villages in the state have already elected panchayats unanimously adding that it will be replicated in more villages too. He said that the panchayats are foundation of healthy democracy and the state government will do anything for peaceful polls. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for giving a complete facelift to villages and no stone will be left unturned for it.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that any central law which deprives the people of work will not be implemented in the state. He said that the state government is committed for safeguarding the interests of people of state and no stone will be left unturned for it. 

Bhagwant Singh Mann said that state government will never allow anyone to jeopardise the interests of state and its people.