18 August,2023 12:21 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the BJP`s Zila Panchayat members` conference via video conferencing, Friday, Aug 18, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI08_18_2023_000027B)
In an address delivered virtually at the "Kshetriya Panchayati Raj Parishad" Prime Minister Narendra Modi called upon members of the BJP's 'Zila Panchayat' to champion various development programs as a mass movement. The prime minister stressed the importance of spreading the light of progress to every corner of the nation, from villages to tehsils and districts, with the aim of transforming India into a fully developed country by the year 2047.
Addressing local body members hailing from states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi underscored that the party's motto, "sabka saath, sabka vikas" (collective effort, inclusive growth), is not just a slogan but a principle that should guide their actions at every moment.
The "Kshetriya Panchayati Raj Parishad" event was convened at Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, with the presence of BJP President J P Nadda alongside the prime minister's address.
Drawing from his experiences as both a chief minister and a prime minister, Modi urged local body officials to dedicate themselves to serving their villages and districts as a priority. He stressed that success in these endeavours hinges on garnering the support of the people and community.
Reflecting on his tenure as India's prime minister, Modi shared how his government-initiated projects like building toilets and providing bank accounts to the underprivileged. He encouraged Zila Panchayat members to prioritize three key projects each year and emphasized that increased funding for local bodies, which has risen significantly, should not pose a constraint.
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"Previously, the grant amounted to Rs 70,000 crore, but it has now increased to over Rs 3 lakh crore. We have constructed more than 30,000 Zila Panchayat buildings," he highlighted. Modi also advocated for the allocation of a portion of the MNREGA budget for asset creation.
Highlighting the party's commitment, Modi mentioned that BJP members have been actively engaging in similar workshops, not solely for electoral success but to contribute towards realizing India's transformation into a developed nation by 2047. (Agencies)