Ranchi: Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday urged mukhiyas and panchayat representatives to focus on innovative ways to bring about comprehensive development in their villages and generate livelihoods that would stop migration and make these areas self-sufficient.
Addressing the Conclave
Addressing a divisional-level conclave of mukhiyas, organized by the state rural development and panchayati raj department at the Mega Sports Complex in Hotwar, Soren emphasized that his government's priority is village development, which in turn will contribute to the overall progress of Jharkhand.
“All-round development of the state depends on your efficiency. I always believe that any state or country can develop only when its villages develop. That is where your roles become important,” he said.
Role of Panchayat Representatives
“People's representatives at panchayat levels must treat the government's schemes and resources as their own responsibility to ensure proper implementation,” he added. The CM further stated that the state government has launched the Mukhyamantri Panchayat Protsahan Puraskar Yojana to recognize good work at panchayat levels.
Water Conservation Measures
Expressing concern over the growing water crisis, he urged panchayat representatives to work on innovative models to save water. “This is the time when cleaning and deepening of old ponds should be carried out so that maximum rainwater harvesting can be done during the monsoon. Additionally, you must construct soak pits near hand pumps to maintain groundwater levels,” he advised, asking the panchayati raj department to train people at the grassroots level.
Alternative Income Sources
He also asked gram sabhas to look beyond traditional farming to increase income. “Electricity can be generated by installing solar plants on vacant land, which the government will purchase. This will increase the income of villagers and enable them to become self-reliant,” he said.
The government has also signed an MoU with UIDAI to extend Aadhaar facilities at the village level through common service centres, the CM added.
Government Initiatives
Rural development minister Deepika Pandey Singh said, “Today, all gram sabhas have panchayat bhavans and the government is giving Rs 15,000 per month for their upkeep. We have also digitized panchayat bhavans for ease of work. This apart, under the 15th Finance Commission, panchayats have been transferred around Rs 900 crores and soon another Rs 600 crore from the state finance commission will be released for various schemes,” she said.
