Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Department has generated highest-ever revenue this year from the auction of shamlat land.
"This year, Rs 307 crores revenue was collected from the auction of shamlat land, which is five percent more than the last year,” said the Minister in-charge Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa on Sunday.
Applauding the Department officials’ efforts, Bajwa has asked the Panchayats to utilize the money for the overall development of villages.
“Quality development works must be ensured while utilizing this money. If any irregularities are found, strong action would be initiated,” he warned. The Government spokesperson said that 1,45,000 acres of shamlat land is available for the auction in the state.
“last year, the total income from the agriculture panchayat land was Rs 292 crore, whereas this year, the revenue generated from Panchayat land has gone up to Rs 307 crore,” said the spokesperson.
Bajwa has already issued clear cut instructions to adopt transparent auction process of the shamlat land which resulted in the highest-ever revenue generation, he said.
As compared to income generated Rs 20,500 per acre last year,Rs 22,000 per acre has been earned
this year, said the spokesperson adding that Sangrur district is at number one in terms of per acre income in the state, where average income more than Rs 32,000 per acre.
In addition, in the current year, the growth rate in the income from
Panchayat land auction in Gurdaspur district was recorded at 15 percent.
Spokesperson said that on the instructions of Rural Development and Panchayat Minister to make the auction process
of the panchayat land more transparent, the auction of the Panchayat land having 50 acres or more land was conducted under the direct supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development)