Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday chaired a detailed review meeting of the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department at the Jharkhand Secretariat, focusing on strengthening rural infrastructure, governance, and service delivery systems across the state.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Rural Development Secretary Manoj Kumar, Panchayati Raj Director Rajeshwari B, and several senior officials.
Review of Rural Development and Ongoing Welfare Schemes
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of ongoing development schemes in rural areas, including infrastructure development, road connectivity, and Panchayat-level service delivery.
He directed officials to ensure that the benefits of government schemes reach the last mile effectively and that rural development planning is more structured and outcome-oriented.
Focus on Transparent and Efficient Panchayati Raj System
CM Hemant Soren stressed the need to enhance transparency in Panchayat-level administration and strengthen public service delivery.
He issued key instructions to officials, including:
- Prevention of child marriage and awareness on women’s safety
- Strengthening helpline awareness at the grassroots level
- Promoting solid waste management systems in Panchayat buildings
- Ensuring segregation of dry and wet waste
- Proper disposal and segregation of plastic waste
He also emphasized training programmes for Panchayat representatives to improve administrative efficiency.
Improved Facilities and Digital Services in Panchayat Buildings
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure better infrastructure in Panchayat secretariats, including:
- Clean drinking water facilities
- Proper sanitation and toilets
- Adequate lighting systems
- Efficient implementation of digital services
He also stressed timely delivery of all citizen services to avoid inconvenience to the public.
CM Soren further reviewed digital governance initiatives and interacted with a Panchayat-level employee working at a digital secretariat to assess on-ground implementation.
Push for Digital Transformation in Rural Governance
The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of expanding digital Panchayat services to improve transparency and efficiency.
He directed officials to:
- Strengthen digital governance systems
- Expand online service delivery at Panchayat level
- Increase transparency in welfare schemes
- Promote citizen participation in local governance
He also called for greater involvement of rural youth and women in self-employment and development activities.
Focus on Rural Road Connectivity and Infrastructure Quality
During the review of the Rural Works Department, CM Soren instructed officials to speed up road construction and repair works across rural areas.
He emphasized maintaining high construction quality standards, stating that improved road connectivity will enhance economic activities and accelerate rural development.
Government’s Commitment to Last-Mile Delivery
The Chief Minister reiterated that rural development must be inclusive and focused on last-mile delivery of government schemes.
He said better planning and efficient execution are essential to ensure balanced development across all villages in Jharkhand.
Minister Highlights Shift Towards Digital Panchayats
After the meeting, Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh said that the review focused on improving departmental efficiency and accelerating digital transformation in Panchayat administration.
She added that Jharkhand is rapidly moving towards a fully digitized Panchayat system to improve transparency and governance at the grassroots level.
The review meeting underscores the Jharkhand government’s strong focus on rural infrastructure development, transparent governance, and digital transformation. The initiatives are aimed at ensuring efficient service delivery and inclusive growth in rural areas across the state.
