Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that Punjab has become the torch bearer in the Governance reforms field across the nation by launching Farad Kendra, Sanjh Kendra and Sewa Kendra to weed out corruption besides enhancing efficiency of administration and delivery of services to empower common man. Interacting with media persons after inaugurating Sewa Kendra at Bholath, Mr. Badal said “the only way to efficiently deliver citizen centric service and wipe out corruption is minimizing the contact between masses and Government offices”. He said the steps towards Governance reforms was appreciated by the Union Government as Punjab was awarded with ‘Best Governance Practice’ award from Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for abolishing affidavits in 88 services, which saves Rs. 300 core annually for common man. The Deputy Chief Minister has also said the 1758 sewa kendras in Rural areas would be functional till September 15, which would provide more than 62 citizen centric services. It may be mentioned here that total 2147 Sewa Kendras have been constructed in rural and urban areas by spending Rs. 500 crore.
These centers would collect water and electricity bills besides providing citizen services mainly including birth and death certificates, application of new power/water/sewerage connections, all kind of payments etc.Talking about the development initiatives by the Punjab Government , Mr. Badal said after becoming the first power surplus state in the nation, now Punjab is all set to connect all major cities with 4-6 lanes with Rs. 25000 crore. He said that 4 laning projects of Phagwara-Chandigarh and Bathinda-Chandigarh have been approved by the Government of India and work on these projects would start in 2 months. Besides Punjab Government has also sanctioned Rs. 5000 crore for 160 Municipal corporations for 100 % Sewerage and water supply facilities. The Deputy Chief Minister has also announced that Punjab Government would provide free of cost sewing machines to unemployed girls for making them self reliant. Mr. Badal has also announced Rs. 10 crore for various development works in the Bholath assembly segment. Prominent amongst present on the occasion included former Minister and MLA Bibi Jagir Kaur, Sarbjit Singh Makkar Chairman District Planning board Kapurthala, Yuvraj Bhupinder Singh Chairman Zila Parishad, Deputy Commissioner and Jaskiran Singh, SSP Rajinder Singh.