Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], April 2 (HBTV): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday announced the inauguration of Atal Suvidha Kendras in 1,460 Gram Panchayats as part of a broader initiative to improve rural services.

Participating in a virtual event to mark National Panchayati Raj Day, the Chief Minister interacted with residents from across the state. He stated that in the next six months, facility centres would be set up in 8,000 panchayats, with the remaining panchayats to be covered in the days ahead.

Sai also highlighted concerns over declining groundwater levels and announced the launch of the Mor Gaanv Mor Pani campaign to preserve rainwater at the panchayat level.

‘On April 14, an MoU was signed for the inauguration of Atal Suvidha Kendras in 1,460 Gram Panchayats. Today, we are inaugurating them. Over the next six months, Suvidha Kendras will be established in 8,000 panchayats, and in the coming days, these will be opened in the remaining panchayats as well. Our mothers and sisters will no longer have to visit banks for money; all the necessary facilities will be available at the Suvidha Kendras,’ he said.

The Chief Minister further stated that the Atal Suvidha Kendras would offer a variety of services and underlined the significance of local water conservation efforts.

‘Apart from this, other facilities will also be available at the Atal Suvidha Kendras. In the future, we must focus on water conservation. The water level is also continuously declining. We are launching the Mor Gaanv Mor Pani Maha Abhiyan. We must also ensure that rainwater can be retained at the panchayat level,’ he added.

Highlighting recent administrative steps, CM Sai spoke about conducting Panchayat and Municipal Corporation elections simultaneously, which he said helped save valuable time.

‘We conducted the corporation and panchayat elections together, which saved time. Similarly, the Prime Minister is focusing on one nation, one election, which is going to benefit the country, and you people must also pay attention to that. I was also a Panch for five years and did very good work, and then the people made me an MLA. If you work hard, you will also receive the blessings of the people,’ Sai said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the National Panchayati Raj Day event in Madhubani, Bihar, said ensuring adequate funding for Panchayats has been a priority for the government.

He paid tribute to national icon and poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his death anniversary and noted the symbolic importance of the celebration being held in Mithila and Bihar.

‘Today, on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, the entire country is connected with Mithila and Bihar. Today, the foundation stone and inauguration of projects worth thousands of crores of rupees related to the development of the country and Bihar have been laid here. These various works related to electricity, railways, and infrastructure will create new employment opportunities in Bihar,’ PM Modi said.

(ANI)