Lt-Gen TS Shergill (retd) meets GOGs in Faridkot on Tuesday. A Tribune photo

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, February 6

The erstwhile guardians of the international borders in the country will now be “Guardians of Governance’’ in this area. Around 284 ex-servicemen were today selected to give good, accountable and transparent governance, without any pilferage of funds. The districts to get these “Guardians of Governance” (GoG) are Faridkot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Moga and Muktsar.These ex-servicemen will act as the eyes and ears of the Chief Minister in the effective implementation of various government schemes, particularly in the rural area while ensuring that there is no leakage of funds, harassment of the common masses and unnecessary bottlenecks, said Lieutenant General (retired) TS Shergill, senior adviser to Punjab Chief Minister and chairman of “Guardians of Governance” (GoG). Shergill was in Faridkot to start GoG in five districts.Earlier in its election manifesto in January 2017, Punjab Congress had announced to launch a department “Guardians of Governance” .This is a group of ex-servicemen from panchayats to blocks to districts, right up to the chief minister. This is a disciplined force, going to hopefully eradicate the misuse of funds, the party had announced in its manifesto.This department is under the chief minister and these GoG are to report to the CM about the implementation of various schemes. We are utilizing a disciplined force. This is going to hopefully eradicate the misuse of funds, said Shergill.This scheme of GoG is being extended in a phased manner across the state and a mobile phone App has also been prepared to monitor mechanics and functioning of the GoG.Harnessing the available pool of distinguished ex-servicemen to oversee the implementation of various schemes and programmes of the state government so that the relief and assistance reaches those in need, this is the motive of GoG, said Shergill.These ex-servicemen will ensure that there was no dissipation of various government schemes due to inefficiency or leakage of funds, he said while interacting with newly appointed GoGs here today.With the help of these GoGs, the state government will ensure full transparency in the execution of various development works, said Shergill.One GoG would be appointed for each village. No government has ever thought utilizing the services of ex-servicemen. With the help of these disciplined ex-servicemen, the state government is hopeful of making optimum use of funds and extend the benefit of various government schemes to all eligible beneficiaries by exposing the wrongs, he said. Shergill was accompanied by the Senior Superintendent of Police, the ASP, the SDM Faridkot and MS Virk, retired colonel and in-charge GoG in Faridkot district.