Patna: The Bihar government has announced plans to transform Panchayat Sarkar Bhavans into integrated rural service centres, offering a range of public facilities including banking services, post offices, RTPS centres, libraries and Sudha milk parlors.
The initiative, led by the Panchayati Raj Department, aims to improve access to essential services in villages and reduce dependence on block headquarters and urban centres for routine administrative work.
Officials said the upgraded Panchayat buildings would function as single-window service hubs, enabling residents to access government certificates, banking support, postal services and digital facilities closer to home.
Public Services Under One Roof
According to the department, Panchayat Sarkar Bhavans will no longer function solely as administrative offices. Instead, they will be developed into comprehensive public utility centres designed to strengthen rural infrastructure and service delivery.
Facilities proposed under the plan include RTPS counters for government certificates, banking and postal services, village libraries and ‘Sudha Whole Day Milk Parlors’. The government believes the move will help villagers save time and travel costs associated with accessing services in towns or block offices.
The Panchayati Raj Department has also directed officials to regularly inspect and maintain the technical infrastructure already installed in Panchayat buildings.
This includes biometric attendance systems, optical fibre connectivity and solar power installations. The department said ensuring the proper functioning of these systems is essential for improving digital governance and expanding online public services in rural areas.
Decision Taken In State-Level Review Meeting
The decision was taken during a departmental review meeting chaired by Manoj Kumar, Secretary of the Panchayati Raj Department, on Wednesday.
The meeting was conducted through video conferencing and attended by Deputy Development Commissioners, District Panchayat Raj Officers and district council officials from across Bihar.
During the meeting, Kumar stressed the need to strengthen village-level infrastructure and ensure that government services reach people efficiently at the grassroots level.
Push For Self-Reliant Villages
Officials said the broader objective of the initiative is to make villages more self-reliant by improving access to public services, digital infrastructure and local economic opportunities.
The government expects the expanded use of Panchayat Sarkar Bhavans to support rural development while improving convenience for residents across the state.
