Implement the Chief Minister’s Samruddh Panchayati Raj Campaign Successfully in Every Village – Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde

Maharashtra’s Development Depends on Empowered Gram Panchayats – Guardian Minister Dr. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil

District-level workshop under the Chief Minister’s Samruddh Panchayati Raj Campaign concludes with enthusiasm

Ahilyanagar, Sept 2025 : True overall development of the state can only be achieved when villages prosper. With this vision, Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde urged that the Chief Minister’s Samruddh Panchayati Raj Campaign be implemented successfully in every village of the district so that the district emerges as a leader in the state.

The district-level workshop under the campaign was held at Sukhakarta Lawns with great enthusiasm. Addressing the gathering, Prof. Shinde highlighted the importance of grassroots governance. The event was attended by Water Resources Minister and District Guardian Minister Dr. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, MLAs Kashinath Date, Vikramsingh Pachpute, Vitthalrao Langhe, Padma Shri Popat Pawar, YASHADA Director Dr. Mallinath Kalshetti, Zilla Parishad CEO Anand Bhandari, Additional CEO Vijay Mulik, Deputy CEO Dadabhau Gunjal, and District Rural Development Agency Project Director Rahul Shelke, among other dignitaries.

Prof. Shinde said that Panchayati Raj institutions are responsible for providing villages with basic amenities such as electricity, water, education, and roads. Through various schemes and campaigns, holistic rural development is being emphasized. The Samruddh Panchayati Raj Campaign provides villages with a significant opportunity for development. He appealed to every Gram Panchayat to actively participate and utilize this opportunity to make their villages prosperous.

He also announced that attractive incentives have been introduced under the campaign:

• ₹15 lakh for the best-performing Panchayat Samiti at the taluka level,
• ₹50 lakh at the district level,
• ₹1 crore at the divisional level, and
• ₹5 crore at the state level.

Maharashtra’s development depends on empowered Gram Panchayats – Guardian Minister Dr. Vikhe Patil

Guardian Minister Dr. Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said that the campaign’s objective is to improve water, roads, electricity, healthcare, and education facilities at the village level. Gram Panchayats are the first rung of democracy, and only when they are empowered can a truly prosperous Maharashtra be realized. He emphasized that every village must prepare and implement its own development plan.

He further said that while the state government implements numerous development schemes, villages must learn about them and ensure their execution locally. Workshops at the taluka level should be organized to spread awareness. The campaign aims to bring about a transformative change in rural life. He also urged villages to prioritize cleanliness, construct more individual toilets, and ensure freedom from open defecation.

MLA Pachpute said that villages are the foundation of development, and it is necessary to adapt to changing times and work for overall rural progress. Gram Panchayats should prioritize sanitation, explore bamboo farming as a sustainable income source, and utilize every opportunity to strengthen villages.

MLA Date said that efforts are being made to empower villages through local self-governance and schemes. Drawing inspiration from model villages like Hiware Bazar and Ralegan Siddhi, he stressed that campaigns should not be time-bound but should continue with consistency and dedication.

MLA Langhe said that the three-tier Panchayati Raj system prioritizes village development. He emphasized the importance of tax collection by Gram Panchayats, strengthening them in a competitive era, and also giving importance to tree plantation.

Padma Shri Popat Pawar said that various campaigns are being implemented for village development, and this campaign must be seen as an opportunity. He urged everyone to participate with enthusiasm, calling Panchayati Raj the true foundation of rural development.

CEO Anand Bhandari, in his opening remarks, said that Maharashtra has a rich tradition of campaigns, with many Gram Panchayats becoming role models through them. He stressed that each Gram Panchayat should achieve at least 90% tax collection. He highlighted that around 3 lakh women are actively involved through 28,000 self-help groups in the district, and they should be engaged to strengthen Gram Sabhas. Priority should be given to waste and sewage management, tree plantation, livelihood generation, solar energy, online services, and transparent governance to ensure comprehensive village development. He called on every Gram Panchayat to participate actively so that the district can secure the first rank in the state.

On this occasion, outstanding Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats were felicitated by dignitaries. The workshop was attended by all village Sarpanches, Group Development Officers, and Village Development Officers.