Bihars Next Panchayat Elections to Follow Delimitation Process, Says Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary

Patna, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary announced on Monday that the next panchayat elections in Bihar will take place only after the completion of the delimitation process for the panchayats. He emphasized the importance of ensuring clear boundaries for both panchayats and urban local bodies in the state.

Chaudhary made these remarks while addressing the ‘Gram Sansad-Bihar Chapter’ event in Patna. He inaugurated the program with a ceremonial lighting of a lamp. The event focused on rural development, the role of panchayats, and strategies for making villages self-sufficient and developed.

The Chief Minister stated that the State Election Commission has already initiated the delimitation process for the panchayats. He reiterated that the next elections would only be held once this process is finalized. Chaudhary highlighted that panchayats are a crucial unit of democracy and that the responsibilities of panchayat representatives are vital for village development.

To enhance technical support for panchayats, the Panchayati Raj Department plans to establish an engineering cell. This initiative aims to provide mukhiyas (village heads) with the necessary technical assistance for implementing development projects.

Chaudhary encouraged panchayat representatives to propose new revenue sources for their villages. This, he said, would help improve essential services such as waste management, drinking water, electricity, and roads.

Under the ‘Seva Sankalp and Kayakalp Abhiyan’ initiative, the government is working on ten development projects in each panchayat. These projects include maintenance and improvement of health centers, community buildings, and anganwadi centers. The Chief Minister noted that monthly support camps are organized at the panchayat level on the first and third Tuesdays to address public grievances quickly. Applications received during these camps are processed within 30 days. Additionally, meetings of the gram sabha are now held on the last Sunday of each month.

Chaudhary also mentioned efforts to make the state self-reliant in education and employment. The government is expanding higher education institutions in Bihar to prevent students from seeking quality education in other states. The goal is to provide one million jobs and government employment opportunities before 2030.

Farmers are receiving electricity at a subsidized rate of 55 paise per unit for agricultural work, and there are ongoing efforts to solarize agricultural feeders. Each household is entitled to 125 units of free electricity monthly. The Chief Minister assured that products made in Bihar would be prioritized in government procurement, aiming for at least 30% of the purchase of materials like rebar and cement to come from local producers, which will be integrated into the tender process.

He concluded by underscoring the significant role of panchayat representatives in building a developed India by 2047 and a prosperous Bihar by 2037. Chaudhary stated that the prosperity of villages is directly linked to the prosperity of the nation, emphasizing that a developed village contributes to a developed country.