Bihar CM Unveils Rs 7,160 Cr for Panchayat Development

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a range of development projects totaling Rs 7,160 crore. Among these initiatives are 2,615 panchayat government buildings spread across various blocks in the state and a new panchayat resource center in Sonepur, Saran district.

Key Projects and Inaugurations

Foundation Stones Laid

• 2,615 Panchayat Government Buildings  will be constructed in various blocks throughout Bihar to improve local governance.
• A new resource center for panchayats is planned in Sonepur, Saran district.

Additional Inaugurations

13 District Panchayat Resource Centers

• Inaugurated to provide administrative resources and support for district-level panchayat operations.

65 Panchayat Government Buildings

• Newly built structures were inaugurated to serve as government facilities at the panchayat level.

E-Gram Kachhari Court Management System and Portals

• Launched to digitize panchayat judicial services and increase accessibility through online district council portals.

Government’s Vision for Panchayat Infrastructure

• The government emphasizes a unified administrative system, where panchayati raj institutions mirror the structure of the state government.
• Panchayat buildings are termed “Panchayat Government Buildings” instead of the traditional “Panchayat Bhawan.”

Target Completion

• The Chief Minister has directed that all ongoing construction projects for these buildings be completed by June 2025.

Expansion Plan

• The state aims to establish such buildings in each of Bihar’s gram panchayats.

Current Progress

• Initially, 330 panchayat government buildings were built.
• Out of 8,053 planned buildings, 6,858 have been approved.
• 1,548 buildings have been completed, with the remainder under construction.

Land Acquisition

• Authorities are actively seeking land to build the remaining 1,195 buildings.

Sustainable Infrastructure

• All new panchayat buildings will feature solar panels to reduce electricity costs and support sustainable energy practices.
• Street Lighting Initiative under which 11,75,740 street lights are planned for the state’s 1,09,321 wards.
• Installation of 8,00,740 street lights is underway, with completion aimed by March 2025.

Leadership Remarks

• CM Nitish Kumar emphasized the importance of robust infrastructure for panchayati raj institutions and directed officials to ensure timely completion and high standards of maintenance.

Officials Attendees

• Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha
• State Panchayati Raj Minister Kedar Prasad Gupta
• Building Construction Minister Jayant Raj
• Additional Chief Secretary of Panchayati Raj Department Mihir Kumar Singh