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PM Modi Hails Village-Level Leaders on National Panchayati Raj Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the dedication of Panchayati Raj functionaries during National Panchayati Raj Day celebrations. He emphasized that empowered panchayats are crucial for local governance and the vision of Viksit Bharat. Union Minister S.P. Singh Baghel highlighted capacity-building programs that have transformed leadership, especially among women. Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj noted an 84% increase in financial grants recommended for rural local bodies.

Key Points: PM Modi on National Panchayati Raj Day: Salutes Village Leaders

  • PM Modi lauds village-level functionaries on National Panchayati Raj Day
  • Event marks 33 years of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act
  • Women and youth participation key to effective panchayats
  • 16th Finance Commission recommends 84% increase in rural local body grants
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PM Modi hails village-level functionaries on National Panchayati Raj Day​

PM Narendra Modi praises Panchayati Raj functionaries, highlights women & youth participation, and stresses empowered panchayats for Viksit Bharat.

PM Modi hails village-level functionaries on National Panchayati Raj Day​
"Empowered panchayats are the backbone of local governance and the critical link in Jan Bhagidari, transparency and all-around development. - PM Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, April 24

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said dedication to public service and service to the nation by elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj and Rural Local Bodies is truly inspiring for everyone.​

In a message read out at a national event to observe National Panchayati Raj Day in New Delhi, marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Prime Minister said active participation of women and youth can make panchayats even more effective.​

PM Modi said empowered panchayats are the backbone of local governance and the critical link in Jan Bhagidari, transparency and all-around development.​

Elected representatives of Gram Panchayats, as well as officials from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, participated in the national event.​

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj S.P. Singh Baghel stressed that empowering Panchayats is central to realising the vision of Viksit Bharat, rooted in the development of villages, farmers and local communities. ​

While highlighting the positive impact of the Ministry's capacity-building programmes, he stated that they have led to a visible transformation in leadership and decision-making among elected representatives, particularly women. ​

He commended the role of transparent governance mechanisms and direct benefit transfers in strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.​

Baghel called upon all Panchayat representatives to uphold the values of service, integrity, and development-oriented leadership, and expressed confidence that a strong Panchayati Raj system is the surest foundation for a self-reliant India.​

Panchayati Raj Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj highlighted the financial empowerment of Rural Local Bodies as recommended by the Sixteenth Finance Commission.​

He noted that the recommended grant represents an increase of nearly 84 per cent over the allocations under the Fifteenth Finance Commission, reflecting a decisive strengthening of fiscal federalism in favour of the third tier of government.​

Bharadwaj elaborated on the 80:20 ratio between Basic Grants and Performance Grants, which balances assured resource flows with incentives for improved own-source revenue mobilisation, financial discipline and quality of local governance. ​

He drew attention to the Performance Grant provision recommended by the 16th Finance Commission, linked to the mobilisation of Own Sources of Revenue by the Panchayats and called upon PRIs to take concrete steps to mobilise and augment their own sources of revenue to get Performance Grants.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
The emphasis on women's participation is crucial. In my village, our sarpanch is a woman and she has done wonders for sanitation and education. When women lead, the entire community benefits. I'm glad the government is focusing on capacity-building for them. 👩‍🌾
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Vikram M
The 84% increase in grants is impressive on paper, but real change happens when panchayats have autonomy over spending. Performance grants linked to own revenue is good in theory, but many rural areas lack the economic base to generate significant local taxes. We need a balanced approach.
A
Ananya R
Very proud to see our Panchayati Raj system completing 33 years! With more funds and training, our villages can truly develop. But we must also ensure transparency in how these funds are used. Digital dashboards and community audits should be mandatory. 📊
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Sarah B
As someone who has worked with rural communities in India, I can attest that strong local governance is key to development. The focus on youth and women is spot on. I just hope the capacity-building programs are practical and not just ceremonial. Nations grow when villages prosper. 🌾
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Rohit P
Good initiative, but we still have a long way to go. Many panchayats lack basic infrastructure like computers and internet. Also, the 80:20 ratio between basic and performance grants might put small panchayats with limited resources at a disadvantage. Need more support for them.

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