Panchayati Raj Day: Nothing can be achieved if steps for public development are not taken, says PM Modi

Jamshedpur: Speaking on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that according to Mahatma Gandhi India lived in villages and yet facilities there were not at par with cities.

"Government programmes like this were held in Delhi but we have ventured out to the states and organised important programmes in the states. ​We're making efforts to organise various events for social development at places outside Delhi so that more people can be connected. 'Gramodaya Se Bharat Uday' began from Mhow, where the great Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was born," the PM said.

"For the first time, we have focused on rural development in our budget. People in villages have shown trust on me for for years. As their representative, I'm determined to do something for them," he added.

PM Modi further said, "Those serving in village should think - I have the opportunity to do something transformative during my tenure and serve my village. So many women are serving in Panchayats. They can show tremendous leadership in matters affecting the villages. I request women representatives in villages to take a resolution to build toilets so that no mother or woman is forced to defecate in open. It is such a shame that despite so much development, women and girls are forced to defecate in open in villages."

"40% women representatives must also take steps to ensure that death of woman during pregnancy should not take place in villages. Steps must be taken to spread awareness in villages to take precautionary measures during pregnancy so that no more a child loses his mother," he advised, and asked, "How many Panchayat representatives take responsibility of ensuring that no child is deprived of poliovirus vaccine? Did we build roads or not, did the budget come or not, we should rise beyond these worries and look at Jan Suvidha."

"When children of a village stop attending schools, it should worry the Panchayat members. Imperative that Panchayat representatives in villages take initiative towards developing public life in villages," PM Modi went on to say.

"Panchayat Raj is a structure, is a democratic system but till steps for public development are not taken nothing can be achieved. I want to ask my Panchayat representatives, can they not share the stress of developing villages along with me?" the PM pointed out.

Panchayati Raj Sammelan was organised on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day in Jamshedpur.

PM Modi inaugurated Kisan Single Window Center at event.