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