In a significant recognition of grass-roots leadership, the Narendra Modi government has invited 150 women panchayat heads (Sarpanch) — who have excelled in achieving saturation in three priority government programmes — to attend the Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, News18 has learnt.
The panchayat leaders were selected from the list of ‘achievers’ recognised in the Prime Minister’s Awards for Public Administration. The sarpanches and members from five states — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh — have demonstrated outstanding performance and innovation in implementing government schemes.
“The decision to call 150 women sarpanches is a two-way outreach initiative by the government that underscores its commitment to fostering and recognising political leadership at the panchayat level,” said a senior officer involved in the process.
“It aims to actively encourage women to participate in politics and administration in rural areas, whether as sarpanch or panchayat members. This decision aligns with the Modi government’s broader campaign to promote Nari Shakti,” he added.
In the wake of the recent electoral losses in over 50 rural Lok Sabha constituencies, the initiative also looks like Modi government’s efforts to launch a focused panchayat outreach initiative. By inviting the women, the administration is reaffirming its commitment to grass-roots leadership and its Nari Shakti campaign. This effort not only recognises and acknowledges these leaders but also seeks to rebuild and strengthen connections with rural areas, underscoring a renewed focus on empowering women and enhancing rural governance.
Modi’s Push
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has invited the women panchayat leaders from five states to Delhi. To promote innovation and efficient implementation of government schemes, the Modi government launched the Prime Minister’s Award programme. From these states, 1,288 panchayat heads were selected for achieving saturation in ‘Priority Sector Schemes under the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration’.
Of these ‘achievers’, 150 women panchayat leaders have been invited to Delhi to attend the programme at the Red Fort from where the prime minister addresses the nation. This event is part of the ministry’s outreach initiative, emphasising the delivery of services to remote villages across states. The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), which comes directly under the Prime Minister’s Office, supervises and monitors the schemes and their progress.
A senior officer involved in the schemes said: “The initiative highlights the government’s dedication to empowering local governance and ensuring essential services reach every corner of the country. But, it is also seen as an outreach programme at the panchayat level. The government wants to groom and empower women leaders who join politics at the grass-roots level and take part in rural administration.”
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