Outgoing Sarpanches Are the Voice of Villages: Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma

Jaipur, January 2026: Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma said that a sarpanch is the voice of the village and the first step of the Gram Panchayat governance system. He emphasized that a strong state is built on empowered panchayats, as the path of development passes through villages. With this vision, the state government is strengthening villages by following Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s guiding principle of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.”

The Chief Minister was interacting with administrators of Gram Panchayats (outgoing sarpanches) from all seven divisions of the state at the Chief Minister’s residence on Saturday. He said that being a sarpanch is not merely a position, but a medium of service and commitment. The sarpanch is the first person whom villagers approach with their hopes and problems. Whether it is farmer welfare schemes, pensions, MSP, drinking water, electricity, housing, toilets, roads, schools, anganwadis, health centres, or access to public welfare schemes, villagers look first to their sarpanch. He noted that sarpanches are best placed to understand how effectively government decisions and schemes are reaching the grassroots, making their feedback extremely valuable.

State Government Strengthening Gram Panchayats

The Chief Minister said that the government is working to establish a corruption-free, transparent, and accountable Panchayati Raj system by strengthening Gram Panchayats. Construction and renovation of Gram Panchayat buildings are underway, and Atal Gyan Kendras will be established in every Gram Panchayat. He informed that new Zila Parishads have been constituted in eight newly created districts. Under the reorganization and restructuring of Panchayati Raj institutions, 85 new Panchayat Samitis and 3,417 new Gram Panchayats have been formed. Even after completion of their tenure, sarpanches have been appointed as administrators so that villages can continue to benefit from their experience. He also mentioned that the Centre has improved MGNREGA and introduced the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural), creating a new roadmap for rural development.

Inclusive Development for All Sections

Shri Sharma said the state government is firmly committed to the upliftment of all sections of society, including youth, women, farmers, and the poor. He highlighted that fair and transparent recruitment examinations are now being conducted, free from paper leaks. Over one lakh government appointments have already been made, while recruitment for 1.44 lakh posts is underway. For women empowerment, an incentive of Rs 1.5 lakh is being provided under the Lado Protsahan Yojana. Farmers are being supported through the Chief Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi, while livestock rearers are being empowered through the Gopal Credit Card, Chief Minister Mangla Pashu Bima Yojana, and a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre on milk.

The Chief Minister appealed to outgoing sarpanches to actively disseminate information about central and state welfare schemes and ensure benefits reach the last person in the queue. Panchayat administrators shared suggestions regarding development works and the upcoming budget, and the Chief Minister assured appropriate action as per rules.

The programme was attended by MLA Shri Shatrughan Gautam, Rajasthan Sarpanch Sangh State President Shri Banshidhar Garhwal, and a large number of outgoing sarpanches.

Team Maverick.