The Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, recently honoured newly elected sarpanches and members of the gram panchayats in a ceremony held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar. The event celebrated the democratic process in rural governance and encouraged the leaders to focus on cleanliness and development in their villages.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the monthly allocation for village cleanliness from ₹4 to ₹8 per person. This decision aims to boost efforts towards maintaining cleanliness in rural areas. He emphasized that cleanliness is important for the dignity of villages and should be a collective effort.
Patel stated that the government is committed to enhancing the living standards in rural areas through various initiatives. He mentioned that a total grant of ₹35 crore is being distributed to 761 gram panchayats, aimed at promoting development in these regions.
The Chief Minister urged the new sarpanches to foster a spirit of competition among villages for cleanliness. He highlighted that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has initiated a nationwide campaign to maintain cleanliness in every locality, and this should be a priority for the newly elected representatives.
In his speech, Patel expressed pride in the record number of 761 gram panchayats achieving ‘Samras’ status, which means they are equitable and inclusive. This reflects the government’s efforts to promote social harmony and collective growth in villages. He encouraged the sarpanches to become pillars of development in their communities, reinforcing the mantra, ‘Our village, our pride’.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Union Minister of Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil, and other ministers from the state government. Patil congratulated the newly elected leaders and stressed their responsibility in ensuring the overall development of their villages. He also pointed out the significance of cleanliness, water conservation, and providing essential services to rural citizens.
Patil shared that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, approximately 60 crore citizens now have access to sanitation facilities, and efforts are underway to provide piped water to more households by 2028. He called on the newly elected sarpanches to prioritize water conservation initiatives in their villages.
The Chief Minister concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the state government to work towards developing Gujarat through the empowerment of local governance. He emphasized that the role of sarpanches is crucial in achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047, which includes transforming rural Gujarat into a thriving region.
The ceremony not only recognized the hard work of the newly elected leaders but also reiterated the government’s dedication to rural development and the importance of grassroots governance in achieving sustainable progress.
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