Minister Calls for Streamlined Rural Services, Reducing District Visits

Deepika Singh Pandey, the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, oversaw a review of the rural and Panchayati Raj department’s work plans at Project Bhawan, focusing on their progress and implementation. She emphasized the need to strengthen the rural development framework at the Panchayat level, stressing the importance of making Panchayat secretariats more dynamic and accountable. The minister instructed officials to establish a system where villagers’ issues are resolved locally, thereby avoiding the need for them to visit the district headquarters. During the meeting, the minister assessed the progress, implementation speed, transparency, and quality of the various schemes run by the department. She directed that all schemes be delivered to the target groups efficiently, transparently, and within set timelines. The minister highlighted the government’s aim to fortify the Panchayati system to establish village governance and ensure the participation of every citizen. Discussions also encompassed the status of schemes, review reports, and future work plans. The minister encouraged officials to conduct frequent field visits and ensure prompt solutions to any problems. The meeting was attended by Departmental Secretary Manoj Kumar, Director B. Rajeshwari, and other senior department officials.