Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans to celebrate Panchayat Day

NEW DELHI: The Modi government is all set to own up a Congress initiative – the National Panchayat Day. In a major outreach exercise, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address gram panchayats through video conferencing on National Panchayat Day on April 24 underlining the enhanced financial and planning powers given to panchayats under the BJP government.

The National Panchayat Diwas, which marks the coming into force of the 73rd Amendment of Constitution that formalised decentralisation of power through panchayati raj, will be an 11-day celebration from April 14 to 24.

Usually there is only a day’s celebrations on April 24 with special gram sabhas being organised. But this time, the Modi government has decided to step up the tempo. With the nationalism debate taking sharp political overtones, BJP government has decided to use the first five days as “sadbhavna” (harmony) days.

The state governments have been asked to organise events at panchayat levels to spread the message of harmony.

The next five days will be dedicated to various themes like Swachh Bharat and welfare programmes to let the people know the initiatives of the Centre.