Patna: Newly appointed ministers in the Nitish Kumar government officially began their duties on Saturday, one day after the distribution of departments. Among them, Deepak Prakash made headlines as he assumed charge of the Panchayati Raj Department. Prakash, the son of Rashtriya Lok Morcha supremo Upendra Kushwaha, entered office with a clear message that village-level development and employment will now be prioritised.
Soon after assuming charge, Prakash held a review meeting with senior officials to understand the current functioning of the department. He said that Zila Parishad assets across the state will be identified and developed so they can be put to better use. According to him, improving these assets will help local bodies earn more internal revenue and also create more jobs for young people in rural areas, where employment opportunities remain limited.
To address concerns about irregularities in government schemes, Prakash announced that a special committee will be set up to monitor development programmes at the Gram Panchayat level. The committee will include representatives from political parties to ensure transparency and accountability. He also said that all vacant posts within the department will be filled quickly, as many schemes cannot move forward smoothly due to staff shortages at multiple levels.
Prakash expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for trusting him with this responsibility and promised to work with complete dedication. He requested support from officials and the public to make the Panchayati Raj system more efficient and people-focused. After his meeting, Prakash received detailed information about the department’s ongoing work and upcoming plans.
Meanwhile, the reshuffle process continued across the government as ministers Ashok Chaudhary and Shreyasi Singh also took charge of their departments on Saturday. More ministers are expected to assume office in the coming days, marking the full transition into the new administrative structure under the Nitish Kumar government.
