Recently, Panchayat Raj Minister Errabelli Dayakar Rao stated that thegovernment has achieved the dream of Mahatma Gandhi's 'Swarajya Gram' by strengthening local rural bodies and establishing basic infrastructure for villages to thrive.

Almost 90% of work has been done in 12,769 state-wide villages including crematories, dumping courts, kindergartens, PrakruthiVanams (nature parks), trolleys, and water tankers.

Proposed Plans Development of Rural Areas

As a response to a question from the Assembly Query Hour on Monday, Dayakar Rao said that after State formation around 4,061 new gram panchayats were created, with a total number of 12,769 in the area for effective rural governance. Additionally, 12,742 Vaikuntadhamams (crematoriums), 12,735 dumping yards, 12,756 nurseries, and further installations were constructed by the State Government. For the benefit of all gram panchayats, the government has supplied 12,769 tractors with water tankers and trolleys.

The state has completed the 8,001 cemetery and 12,301 dumping yards with Rs1,554,76 crore and Rs 318,99 crore expenditure, respectively. The rest of the work will be completed in different phases by 30 April this year. The minister also instructed the MLAs to examine the scale of the work done in their respective constituencies in the villages. He said permissions for the laying of borewells in crematoria where a water shortage exists were issued.

Dayakar Rao said about 10.0 crore samplings were planted and 86 percent of them were preserved until they survived through the village nurseries. In 2019–20, around Rs 237 crore was used to develop greenery in villages. The authorities have established a target to plant 23,54 crore saplings in 2020-21.

By: Shailaja K