National desk
26 October
Sandeep Dhand Ludhiana
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has recently approved a series of proposals aimed at enhancing panchayat infrastructure across India. These initiatives include the construction of new panchayat buildings and resource centers, along with upgrades to existing structures. Notably, the Ministry plans to construct around 400 Gram Panchayat buildings in the border areas of Arunachal Pradesh as part of this expansion.
During a recent meeting of the Central Empowered Committee, chaired by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, various infrastructure and training needs for panchayats were discussed under the Gram Swaraj Abhiyan. According to Ministry sources, the campaign aims to bolster panchayat resources, with a special focus on regions in the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir.
For 2024-25, the Ministry has approved the construction of 970 Gram Panchayat Bhawans and 1,606 Sanjh Seva Kendras in Jammu and Kashmir. Similarly, support has been extended for panchayat infrastructure in other North-Eastern states, including Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Assam, and Manipur. Overall, the North-Eastern region will see the establishment of 1,633 new Gram Panchayat Bhawans and 514 Sanjh Seva Kendras, enhancing access to community services and strengthening local governance in these areas.