Chief Minister shares his experience; highlights the crucial role of Panchayat representatives in village development
Chief Minister attends Panchayat Officers’ Conference on National Panchayati Raj Day
Active participation of Panchayat representatives key to village development; benefits of schemes must reach the last person: Chief Minister
Raipur, April 24, 2026
On the event of Natioanl Panchayati Raj Day Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said the double-engine government is strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions to reinforce the foundation of a developed India. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, a new chapter of holistic rural development is being written nationwide. He was addressing the Panchayat Officers’ Conference held on Friday at DDU Auditorium in Raipur.
“Village development depends on the active role of Panchayat representatives, ensuring government schemes reach the last person,” said Shri Sai.
Sharing his journey, Chief Minister Shri Sai said he began his political career as a Panchayat representative, serving as a Panch and Sarpanch. He noted that grassroots experience in village development shapes effective leadership, with many public representatives rising from Panchayats to higher legislative bodies. Panchayats play a vital role in making villages clean, healthy, and beautiful, and that strong grassroots work leads to effective policymaking.
Highlighting key initiatives, he said under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, rural households are receiving permanent houses, while the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has significantly improved village connectivity. Through Atal Digital Service Centres, services like banking, electricity bill payments, pensions, and insurance have become easily accessible, accelerating the rural economy. Construction of Mahatari Sadan for women is underway, with several already completed and benefiting women directly.
He urged Panchayat representatives to ensure regular monitoring of all activities for quality and timely completion of development works. Under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0, the target is to provide clean drinking water to every household, where Panchayats have a crucial responsibility in ensuring timely implementation.
Referring to Sushasan Tihar, the Chief Minister said special camps will be organized to resolve public grievances. He called upon representatives to actively identify and address local issues through the initiative. Under the Mukhyamantri Bijli Bill Samadhan Yojana, pending electricity bills can be cleared with full waiver of surcharge and additional concessions, and he urged representatives to maximize its benefits for villagers.
He assured that the state government will provide all necessary resources to strengthen panchayats and appealed to representatives to work proactively in their respective areas.
Revenue Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma said the double-engine government is committed to delivering benefits of government schemes to the last person, in line with the vision of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. He said Panchayats are being financially empowered with continuous approvals for development works, and representatives are effectively fulfilling both developmental and social responsibilities.