Development of Villages Through Public Participation – CM Devendra Fadnavis ‘Ranjitbabu Deshmukh Rural Development Award-2026’

Nagpur, dated 2026 : By taking benefit of various schemes of the Central and State government, transformation is happening in the rural areas of Maharashtra through public participation. The State Government has tried to bring different concepts of rural development and provided quality services in rural areas. Taking advantage of this, local self-government institutions have brought transformation through participation. Expressing such sentiments, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that villages can be developed through public participation.

On the occasion of the 80th birthday of former Rural Development Minister Ranjit Deshmukh, the ‘Ranjitbabu Deshmukh Rural Development Award-2026’ was distributed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Vasantrao Naik Administrative Training Institute hall, organized by the Ranjitbabu Deshmukh Foundation. He was speaking on this occasion. Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore was the chairperson, while Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister of Nagpur district Chandrashekhar Bawankule was present as chief guest. Former minister Ranjitbabu Deshmukh, President of Ranjitbabu Deshmukh Foundation and MLA Dr. Ashish Deshmukh, former minister Anil Deshmukh and others were present.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Ranjitbabu Deshmukh Foundation has done commendable work by organizing this award distribution ceremony, honoring gram panchayats and institutions doing remarkable work in rural development which reflects the work of former minister Ranjitbabu Deshmukh. Through the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments, Zilla Parishads received important powers and women got reservation in Zilla Parishads. Ranjitbabu Deshmukh first introduced this law in the legislature. He also made a mark through his work as Rural Development Minister in Nagpur and across the state.

Public participation is the basic mantra of rural development, and in the state, the ‘Jalyukt Shivar Yojana’ became successful only through public participation and villages became water-sufficient. It is noteworthy that the award-winning gram panchayats and institutions used central and state schemes for development of their areas, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set the goal of rural development and rural transformation in the country. Maharashtra Government is moving towards achieving this goal. The state has tried to bring different concepts of rural development. Through this, quality government services have been made available. Villages with population of more than 1000 are being connected through concrete roads in three phases. Work has been undertaken for waste disposal and sewage treatment in rural areas. Work is also being done to make villages water-rich through water conservation. Under the central ‘Jiramji’ scheme, emphasis has been given to water conservation works. In Nagpur district and some places in the state, dark zone conditions have been created. In such areas, recharge and water conservation works should be taken up under the ‘Jiramji’ scheme.

The state government has focused on the use of modern technology for development of agriculture. Maharashtra has for the first time in the country made available an AI-based ‘Maha-Vistaar App’ for farmers. All information related to agriculture is available here, and 50 lakh farmers in the state are using this app. In the coming time, this facility will be made available in all dialect languages of the state, he said.

We will bring rural areas of Nagpur district to the top position in the state – Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule
The vision of development of rural areas through public participation was kept by former minister Ranjitbabu Deshmukh. The state government is carrying forward this vision. Various development works are happening in rural areas of Nagpur district. The state government will give full support to all these development works and in the coming time will make the rural areas of Nagpur district the top in the state, said Revenue Minister and Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

Remarkable work in rural areas through Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayati Raj Abhiyan – Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore
Through the Chief Minister’s Samruddha Panchayati Raj campaign, excellent work is being done in the state. As a result, various gram panchayats in Nagpur district have done remarkable work and have secured awards, said Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Jaykumar Gore.

On this occasion, gram panchayats and institutions doing remarkable development work at Panchayat Samiti level in Nagpur district were honored with the ‘Rural Development Award 2026’ by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Awards were given in categories such as commendable gram panchayat in public participation, crime-free, liquor ban and women protection, waste water and solid waste management and environment, water-rich village, livelihood sector, innovative knowledge-enhancing school in education sector, commendable primary health center in health sector, model gram panchayat and continuous CSR contribution for rural development.

Earlier, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis felicitated former minister Ranjitbabu Deshmukh along with his wife. Dr. Ashish Deshmukh gave the introductory remarks, and Chief Executive Officer of Nagpur Zilla Parishad Vinayak Mahamuni gave information regarding award selection.