Jaipur, Jan 17 (AHN) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Saturday said that a sarpanch is the voice of the village and the first step in Gram Panchayat governance, adding that panchayats must be strong for the state to become strong, as the path of development passes through villages.

He said that with this objective, the state government is working to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi's core mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’.

The Chief Minister was interacting with Gram Panchayat administrators (outgoing sarpanches) from all seven divisions of the state at the Chief Minister’s residence.

He said that the post of sarpanch is not merely a position but a medium of service and commitment. The sarpanch is the first person to whom every villager turns with hope.

Whether it is Kisan Samman Nidhi, pensions, drinking water, electricity, housing, toilet construction, roads, schools, Anganwadi centres, health centres, or access to various welfare schemes, villagers primarily look to the Gram Panchayat and the sarpanch.

He added that sarpanches are best placed to assess how effectively the benefits of government policies and pro-people decisions are reaching the grassroots, making their feedback extremely valuable.

The Chief Minister said the state government is strengthening Gram Panchayats to establish a transparent, corruption-free and accountable Panchayati Raj system. Construction and renovation of Gram Panchayat buildings are underway, and Atal Gyan Kendras (knowledge centres) will be established in every Gram Panchayat.

He said that new Zila Parishads have been constituted in the newly formed eight districts. Similarly, under the reorganisation and creation of Panchayati Raj institutions, 85 new Panchayat Samitis and 3,417 new Gram Panchayats have been established.

Outgoing sarpanches have been appointed as administrators even after completion of their term so that villages can continue to benefit from their experience.

Sharma further stated that the Central government has prepared a new roadmap for rural development by reforming the existing MGNREGA framework and launching the ‘Developed India Guarantee for Employment and Livelihood Mission (Rural)’.

The Chief Minister said the state government is working with firm commitment for the upliftment of all sections of society, including youth, women, the poor and farmers.

He said the youth of the state have been freed from the issue of paper leaks witnessed during the previous government’s tenure, and recruitment examinations are now being conducted in a fair and transparent manner. More than one lakh government appointments have already been made, and recruitment for over 1.44 lakh posts is currently underway.

For women’s empowerment, an incentive of Rs 1.5 lakh is being provided under the Ladli Protsahan Yojana. Farmers are being economically strengthened through the Chief Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, while livestock farmers are being supported through the Gopal Credit Card, the Chief Minister Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana, and a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre on milk.

The Chief Minister appealed to the outgoing sarpanches to actively disseminate information about welfare schemes of the Central and state governments and ensure their benefits reach the last person in the queue.

During the programme, the Gram Panchayat administrators shared their suggestions regarding development works and the upcoming budget. Sharma assured them that appropriate decisions would be taken on their suggestions in accordance with rules.

On the occasion, MLA Shatrughan Gautam, State President of the Rajasthan Sarpanch Association Banshidhar Garhwal, and a large number of Gram Panchayat administrators (outgoing sarpanches) were present.