National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 and PM Modi’s Bihar Visit

India, as the world’s largest democracy, believes in empowering its citizens at the grassroots level. One of the most significant tools of this empowerment is the Panchayati Raj system, which ensures inclusive rural development and encourages local self-governance. To acknowledge its importance, National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually on 24th April. The year 2025 marks another milestone, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bihar to commemorate this occasion by launching key development projects and honoring outstanding Panchayats.

Key Highlights – National Panchayati Raj Day 2025

History and Background

• Date Observed: 24th April every year.
• First Celebrated: 2010, as declared by PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• Origin: Marked the enforcement of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1993.
• Purpose: To celebrate the constitutional status of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and promote their role in grassroots governance.

73rd Constitutional Amendment – Key Provisions

Three-tier System

• Gram Panchayat (Village level)
• Panchayat Samiti (Block level)
• Zila Parishad (District level)

Reservation of Seats

• For Women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Regular Elections: Every 5 years.
• Financial Autonomy: Powers to raise resources.

Constitution of Commissions

• State Finance Commission
• State Election Commission

Objectives of National Panchayati Raj Day

• Strengthen local self-governance structures.
• Celebrate Panchayats’ contribution to rural development.
• Raise awareness on democratic decentralization.
• Motivate and recognize Panchayat representatives.

Digital Era & Panchayati Raj

Initiatives like,

• e-Panchayat Project
• SVAMITVA Scheme
• Focus: Enhanced transparency, real-time governance, and digital empowerment of rural India.

Future Role: Key in rural education, health, sanitation, and employment.

Celebration Activities

• Organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

Includes,

• Awards Distribution (e.g., Nanaji Deshmukh National Gaurav Gram Sabha Award)
• Workshops/Seminars on rural issues.
• Promotion of Digital Panchayat platforms.

PM Modi’s Visit to Bihar – 24 April 2025 Highlights

Security Measures

• Security heightened across Bihar in light of recent terror threats in Jammu & Kashmir.

Event Participation

• Venue: Madhubani, Bihar
• Occasion: National Panchayati Raj Day

Activities

• Address to public gathering
• Presentation of National Panchayat Awards

Development Projects Launched / Inaugurated

• Total Worth: Over ₹13,480 crore.
• LPG Plant in Hathua (Gopalganj) – ₹340 crore.

Power Infrastructure

• Projects worth ₹1,170 crore (foundation)
• Projects worth ₹5,030 crore (inauguration)

Rail Connectivity

• Amrit Bharat Express (Saharsa to Mumbai)
• Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (Jaynagar to Patna)
• New train routes and rail lines inaugurated (e.g., Supaul-Pipra, Hasanpur-Bithan)

Welfare Initiatives

• ₹930 crore disbursed to 2 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under DAY-NRLM.

Handed over

• Sanction letters to 15 lakh PMAY-Gramin beneficiaries.
• Installments to 10 lakh beneficiaries.
• Grih Pravesh keys to 1 lakh PMAY-G & 54,000 PMAY-U homes in Bihar.