Ketaan Ram Kataria
Madhubani: Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Lohna Uttar Gram Panchayat in Jhanjharpur block of Bihar’s Madhubani district on Thursday to mark National Panchayati Raj Day, commemorating 32 years since the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which gave constitutional status to local self-governance institutions in India.
In a programme attended by panchayat representatives from across the country, Modi addressed the role of grassroots democracy in national development and hailed the increasing participation of women in rural governance, noting it as a sign of a maturing democracy.
During the event, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 13,480 crore, spanning rail connectivity, energy infrastructure, and welfare initiatives. Notable among these were the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, the NaMo Bharat Rapid Rail between Jaynagar and Patna, and new rail lines and overbridges in north Bihar.
In the energy sector, Modi launched projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme worth ₹6,200 crore and dedicated an LPG bottling plant with rail unloading facilities at Hathua in Gopalganj, expected to significantly boost the efficiency of gas supply in the region.
As part of his government’s commitment to rural welfare, the Prime Minister distributed housing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and financial support to over two lakh Self-Help Groups through the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. He also handed over acceptance letters to 15 lakh new PMAY-Gramin beneficiaries and released installments for 10 lakh rural housing recipients.
In a special award ceremony, six gram panchayats were honoured with the National Panchayat Awards 2025 for excellence in local governance and sustainable practices. Notably, three of the award-winning panchayats were led by women sarpanches, underscoring the growing impact of female leadership in rural India.
The event was conducted in a solemn tone without celebratory elements, in honour of the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including a native of Bihar. The Prime Minister began his speech by observing a minute of silence for the victims and reaffirmed India’s resolve to combat terrorism.
