Sarpanch Pati practice should end: PM

Odisha Channel Bureau New Delhi, April 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged Panchayat members to work with a five-year vision with concrete development plans to bring about positive changes in their villages.In his remarks at a function in New Delhi to mark National Panchayati Raj Day, the Prime Minister hailed the contribution of women in the functioning of Panchayats across the country.He called for an end to the practice of “husbands of female Sarpanches” – “Sarpanch Pati” – exercising undue influence.Modi urged Panchayat members to instill pride about the village.This required a firm resolve, rather than any budgetary provision, he added.He gave some suggestions in this regard, such as celebrating a birthday of the village.He said issues such as education of children in the village, and vaccination for children, should be paid special attention to by Panchayat members.The Prime Minister urged Panchayat members to motivate all Government officials in their village to spend at least one hour a week with schoolchildren of the village.The Prime Minister gave away the Annual Devolution Index (States) Awards, and E-Panchayat Awards, and congratulated the Zila Parishads and Gram Panchayats who were being felicitated on the occasion.Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Chaudhary Birender Singh and Minister of State Panchayati Raj Nihal Chand were present on the occasion.