Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai virtually inaugurated ‘Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra’ from his official residence in State Capital on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sai that the three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions are the basic link of rural development. “I was a Panch for five years and also got the opportunity to assume the responsibility of Sarpanch unopposed. If you do good work while fulfilling your responsibilities, you will always get the love of the people and you will be able to play a big role in the development of the village,” said Sai. Sai said that “Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra”, launched on the special occasion of the National Panchayati Raj Day, will bring digital revolution in the rural areas of Chhattisgarh and the access of government services and schemes of State will be easily accessible to the common people.

 

The Chief Minister also launched the “Mor Gaon Mor Pani Mahabhiyan” in 11,693 gram panchayats of State for the purpose of water conservation. He Pdministered oath to the panchayat representatives and citizens while calling for water conservation. Extending his greetings on National Panchayati Raj Day, CM Sai said that Panchayats are the roots of Indian democracy and strengthening them is the top priority. He said that PM had promised the people of Chhattisgarh that cash payment facility would be provided in the Gram Panchayats, so that the villagers do not have to go to the bank branches. He said that pensioners, women under Mahtari Vandan Yojana and will now get the facility of withdrawal of the amount received from DBT including PM Kisan Nidhi in the village itself. Sai said that now the villagers will not have to travel long distances to go to the bank and they will save not only time but also the money spent on travelling. The Chief Minister said that government services like caste, residence, birth, death certificates, pension schemes, ration card will also become easy and accessible for the villagers. Sai expressed confidence that this scheme will strengthen the Digital India Mission at the grassroots level and will promote transparent and accountable governance in rural areas. He said that today this system has started in 1460 Gram Panchayats and in the coming time this scheme will be expanded.

 

The Chief Minister said that the ground water level in the state is continuously decreasing and for the purpose of water conservation, the “Mor Gaon Mor Pani Mahabhiyan” has been launched. He asked the Panchayat representatives to work seriously in the direction of water conservation. CM Sai said that Prime Minister has released an amount of more than Rs 300 crore for PM Awas to 51,000 families of State. People should take advantage of the scheme by taking part in the survey and asked the Panchayat representatives to also spread the information about it to the general public, he said. Deputy Chief Minister Sharma said that Atal Digital Suvidha Kendra will strengthen the access to digital services in rural areas. Secretary to Chief Minister P Dayanand, Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development Department Bhim Singh, Director of PM Awas-Gramin Taran Prakash Sinha and other officers were present. Government officers, employees, Panchayat representatives and beneficiaries virtually attended the programme.