Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Friday urged former Panchayati Raj representatives to play a proactive role in strengthening Gram Swaraj and ensuring inclusive development in villages, saying the state govt is preparing a detailed roadmap for the all-round development of villages. Sharma said he was still called a “sarpanch” in villages, underscoring the enduring importance of grassroots leadership.The CM’s remark that he is still addressed as “sarpanch” in villages appeared aimed at striking a grassroots connect and wooing rural voters ahead of the panchayat elections.CM said the roadmap for village development is being prepared under the ‘Chief Minister Viksit Gram-Shahri Ward Abhiyan’, with govt focusing on strengthening basic facilities and creating greater opportunities in rural areas.Sharma also hit back at Congress leaders who had questioned his promise of providing four lakh govt jobs. He said appointments had been given to 1.94 lakh people; examinations conducted for 1.22 lakh posts and recruitment for another 1.25 lakh posts was underway. Taking a swipe at Cong, he jokingly offered to arrange mathematics tuition for Congress functionaries to help them add up the figures.Addressing a Panchayati Raj Janpratinidhi Samvad programme at Takshashila Auditorium, Sharma said the sarpanch is the first point of contact for villagers seeking resolution of their problems and therefore should ensure that benefits of govt schemes reach every eligible person. “Even today, they call me Sarpanch first and CM later. You may become anything, but for the village, you are Sarpanch first.”Calling for greater public participation in village development, Sharma said sarpanches and other public representatives should maintain continuous dialogue with villagers and remain responsive to their concerns.“If our villages are strong, Rajasthan will be strong. If Gram Panchayats are transparent, accountable and based on public participation, both the pace and impact of development will increase,” he said, sharing his own experiences from his tenure as a sarpanch.He said Atal Gyan Kendras were being established at the panchayat level, providing facilities such as libraries, e-libraries, online coaching and e-Mitra services. These centres would help rural youth access educational and digital services, he said.Sharma defended his govt’s performance, saying Rajasthan was in a poor state when the BJP came to power 2.5 years ago, with rampant corruption, unemployed youth and distressed farmers.The CM said the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi was a reminder of the values of truth, non-violence, cleanliness, Gram Swaraj, self-reliance and public participation, which he described as the foundation stones of nation-building. Sharma said alert and responsive public representatives were essential to achieving Gram Swaraj, inclusive development and the goal of a developed Rajasthan.
