Chandigarh, July 9 (IANS): The central government has enhanced allocation in the rural development sector by 140 percent under the 14th Finance Commission to Rs.4,091 crore from the Rs.1,700 crore in the previous commission, a union minister said on Thursday.

Nihal Chand, union minister of state for Panchayati Raj, who called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here, also said that the central government has enhanced the share of the state for its glorious track record of optimum utilisation of funds to carry out rural development.

He said Punjab would get a major chunk of funds under the 14th Finance Commission in the next five years, and Rs.700 crore would be disbursed to the state during the current fiscal.

Chand assured Badal that the NDA government at the Centre would give full support and cooperation to his government in its efforts to transform the rural scene in the state by providing the best basic civic amenities for improving quality of life.

The union minister, who visited Singhpura village in Ropar district, expressed satisfaction over the development activities being carried out by the state government for ensuring its holistic growth.

He said Punjab was today the torch-bearer for the country in rural development.