On National Panchayati Raj Day, Prime Minister Narendra

Modi visited Madhya Pradesh to launch Rashtriya Gram

Swaraj Abhiyan at Ramnagar and unveiled the road map
for development of tribal areas.
Assuring that the Centre will always help in development
of villages, Modi said Indian culture "teaches us to live for
the nation".
Speaking at a gathering in Mandla district, Modi said, "I
am delighted to be in Madhya Pradesh on National
Panchayati Raj Day. Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi) always
highlighted the importance of villages and spoke about
'Gram Swaraj'."
The newly-launched scheme is aimed at making rural local
bodies self-sustainable, financially stable and more
efficient. He said the Centre is committed to fulfilling the
wishes of the villagers as people residing there had shown
trust in us. "Today we pledge to boost development of
villages. Indian culture motivates us to live for the nation",
he said.
"Budgets are important while talking about rural
development. But, there is a shift in the discourse in the
last few years. People are now talking about the need to
ensure that money allocated for a project is utilised and it
is done in a timely as well as transparent manner".
"The work of setting up an LPG plant in Mandla district at
a cost of Rs 120 crore will be provided, which will
ensure the availability of gas cylinder in all the adjoining
areas, and provide employment opportunities for the
people", he said. Modi will lay the foundation stone of an
LPG bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation at Maneri
and launch a local government directory.
He also appealed to the villagers to focus on the education
of their children. "This is essential for the child's future...
education for all is a top priority for a central
government", he added. Modi also praised the Centre for
taking action to exclude bamboo from the definition of tree
under the Indian Forest Act.
"Jan Dhan, vann dhan, gobar dhan: With these three
things, we can bring a great change in a village's economic
status", Modi said.
Elaborating on the essence of each of the three initiatives,
he said, "Ensure that people have Jan Dhan accounts and
insurance coverage under the government schemes. If
there is a neem tree today, its branch can provide source of
income for the village women. Today, cow dung is not used
scientifically in villages. Gas and electricity can be
produced from it. This can be done without monetary aid,
but will need the help of the government schemes".
"Let us pledge that by 2022, we develop our villages along
the lines of what Mahatma Gandhi had once wished for" ,
he added.
Modi also addressed the Centre's initiative to introduce
capital punishment for rapists of children below 12 years
of age. "The recent steps taken by the government will be
beneficial in furthering the safety of women", he said.
"This government sits in Delhi but listens to your voice
and then takes decisions. We should teach responsibilities
to our sons. If that happens, our daughters won't have to
worry about their safety", he said.
Modi arrived on Tuesday in Mandla district to address the
Panchayat bodies and the indigenous communities. He
earlier tweeted that National Panchayati Raj Day is an
occasion to celebrate the efforts of all those "who are a part
of our vibrant Panchayati Raj institutions".
Modi felicitated village heads with 100 percent smokeless
kitchens, 100 percent vaccination under Mission Indradhanush
and total electrification under the Saubhagya scheme. He will also
interact with district collectors of some districts of the state.