Mumbai, Nov 17 (NationPress) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis conducted an online dialogue with 25,000 sarpanches from across Maharashtra on Monday using the Sarpanch Samvad platform, developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI). He emphasized that such robust engagement will lead to a thriving state and ultimately a prosperous nation.

“It is indeed commendable to connect with 25,000 Sarpanches simultaneously. The progress in rural development is reflected in this interaction,” he remarked.

Fadnavis highlighted that the advancement of both the state and the nation is impossible without rural development.

The Central Government has prioritized rural development and allocated significant funds over the past decade.

“To realize the vision of prosperous villages, as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj, and Sant Gadge Baba, two essential elements are public engagement and effective leadership in village development initiatives,” he added.

According to the chief minister, Sarpanches are pivotal in driving the comprehensive development of villages.

“Sarpanches play a crucial role in implementing government schemes at the grassroots level. They must optimize the funds allocated by both the Central and State governments for sectors such as agriculture, women's empowerment, health, education, infrastructure, and self-help groups,” he urged.

He noted that various schemes and initiatives can lay the groundwork for significant progress in villages. A prime example is the exceptional work achieved under the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, which not only focused on water conservation but also demonstrated the transformative power of leadership and collective action within communities.

He added that the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan has provided a fresh impetus to agricultural advancement.

“Villages have excelled in the Mukhyamantri Samriddhi Panchayat Raj Abhiyan,” he stated.

Expressing his commitment to transforming every village into a smart village, CM Fadnavis mentioned that with the advent of fiber networks and the assistance of Starlink, superior internet connectivity will soon be accessible to villages.

He stated that smart technologies will enhance productivity and decrease costs for farmers.

Fadnavis declared that Maharashtra is on the verge of setting a Guinness World Record with its solar pump initiative, which has proven to be immensely successful in the state.

“Innovative concepts like daytime pump usage and free nighttime electricity for households are now being realized. The government is also committed to launching a natural farming mission, focusing on sustainable agriculture by minimizing production expenses,” he concluded.