Chandigarh-In a move to boost grassroots development, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday approved the guidelines for the "Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme, " allocating Rs 585 crore for local-level works across districts during the financial year 2025–26.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office stated that the scheme is aimed at addressing everyday development needs within the districts, with funds to be managed by Deputy Commissioners. Project suggestions will be sourced from MLAs, community organizations, citizen groups, and other public-minded individuals, and will be vetted according to the scheme's guidelines.
Each district will have a District Level Committee headed by the Deputy Commissioner, with the district’s Minister-in-Charge (appointed by the Chief Minister) providing concurrence. The approved works will be executed by the appropriate authorities, with the Deputy Commissioner empowered to sanction both administrative and financial aspects. Timely completion and oversight will also fall under their purview.
Villages Shifted from Patiala to SAS Nagar
In a separate decision, the Cabinet approved the transfer of eight villages—Manakpura, Khera Gajju, Urna, Changeera, Uccha Khera, Gurditpura, Haripura, and Lehlan—from Sub-Division/Tehsil Rajpura (Patiala) to Sub-Division/Tehsil Banur (SAS Nagar), to better serve the administrative and developmental needs of local residents.