Gujarat took a giant stride toward rural empowerment as Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel virtually laid the foundation stone for 2666 gram panchayat homes integrated with patwari residences, all from one location in Bhadran, Anand. This Rs 663 crore initiative aligns seamlessly with PM Narendra Modi’s push for self-reliant villages under Atmanirbhar Bharat.
‘We’re fully committed to achieving saturation in village infrastructure as envisioned by our Prime Minister,’ declared Patel. The government’s bold decision ensures every panchayat in the state will soon boast its dedicated building, streamlining service delivery at the grassroots level.
The event doubled as the grand launch of the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana, targeting 114 taluka-headquarter villages without municipal bodies. Phase one brings city-like facilities—roads, water, sanitation, solar lights, digital governance, and community spaces—directly to these rural hubs.
Expanding the vision, Patel announced inclusion of panchayats with over 10,000 residents, fostering equitable growth that reduces urban migration and embodies PM Modi’s inclusive development mantra. ‘Development’s pace and scale have transformed under Modi’s leadership; now, rural areas get the spotlight to balance urbanization,’ he noted.
Special emphasis was placed on sustainability: the ‘Catch the Rain’ drive promotes rainwater storage and aquifer recharge, backed by Rs 50 lakh grants per MLA. Promoting natural, cow-centric agriculture, Patel called for soil regeneration to benefit future generations.
On this poignant day—30 January, honoring martyrs and Gandhiji—Patel invoked the Mahatma’s call for village self-governance as a timeless blueprint for nation-building. Rural Housing Minister Rishikesh Patel commended the CM’s drive, hailing the start of construction for these vital structures and aspiring for 10,000+ modern secretariats. ‘Gandhi’s words ring true: India’s soul lives in its villages,’ he affirmed, congratulating local leaders like Bhadran’s sarpanch for holistic development.
