Bhopal, Nov 24 (NationPress) Madhya Pradesh's Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya stated on Monday that for the effective planning of the state, it is crucial to focus on the growth of village panchayats situated near urban areas.

The Minister highlighted that illegal colonies within these village panchayats often lead to public issues, and must be eradicated.

He noted that the increasing population in urban centers impacts not only the cities but also the neighboring village panchayats.

This statement was made during a workshop for panchayat representatives and state officials at the Kushabhau Thakre Convention Centre in Bhopal.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisions a developed Bharat by 2047, and this dream can only be achieved in Madhya Pradesh if we devise integrated plans for both rural and urban sectors,” he remarked.

Currently, an estimated 32 percent of the state's population lives in urban areas, a figure projected to rise to nearly 50 percent in the coming years, introducing further challenges.

Vijayvargiya stressed the importance of establishing coordination committee meetings between officials from urban bodies and those from village panchayats adjacent to urban territories to ensure systematic development.

He proposed that local urban bodies linked to urban areas should advocate for development initiatives via the Public-Private Partnership model.

Furthermore, he mentioned that Corporate Social Responsibility funds could also be utilized in this endeavor.

The Minister encouraged panchayat representatives to foster village and urban forests to promote a clean environment in their communities.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh's Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, during another session of a three-day workshop, urged panchayat representatives to stay alert regarding various schemes from both the Central and state governments.

Patel mentioned that the workshop aims to bolster the implementation of the three-tier panchayat system and highlighted the need for improved coordination between representatives and officials.

He added that the Madhya Pradesh government intends to ensure that every panchayat has a fully equipped cremation ground by December 2026, backed by an allocation of Rs 6,000 crore under the Fifth Finance Commission.

“Achieving self-reliance for panchayats extends beyond financial sustainability; it encompasses health, cleanliness, addiction-free communities, harmonious dispute resolution, and a collective commitment to eradicate social evils,” Patel stated.