In Gujarat, a wave of celebration is sweeping across the state from October 7 to 15 as the government launches a week‑long “Vikas Saptah” (Development Week). The event shines a spotlight on the state’s Panchayati Raj system and the power of local community involvement.
The week marks 24 years since Narendra Modi first took office as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. During his 12‑year tenure, Modi launched a number of projects that reshaped the state, including a dedicated Climate Change Department. In 2014 he became India’s 14th Prime Minister, continuing a legacy of progress and development.
A centerpiece of Vikas Saptah is the Samras Gram Yojana (Sustainable Village Scheme). Introduced on October 29, 2001, just weeks after Modi became chief minister, the program has become a model of rural democracy in Gujarat. Under Samras Gram, all ward members and the village head (sarpanch) are elected unanimously, without opposition. This streamlines elections, saves money, and speeds up development efforts. Palliements that elect all members as women become “Mahila Samras Gram Panchayats.”
Since 2001, 15,553 village councils have joined the Samras program, including 828 all‑women councils. The state has supplied an extra ₹351.20 crore for these villages, and the grant has recently risen by 1.5 times. The extra funds go toward basic facilities and key development projects.
Dr. Gaurav Dahiya, the Additional Development Commissioner, stressed that the Samras scheme has truly changed Gujarat’s rural landscape. “It gives panchayats more money than normal budgets, which translates into real progress for villages,” he said.
For Vikas Saptah, the state government has planned 918 activities across 34 districts. Highlights include a “Vikas Rath” (development tour) in three villages, where officials walk the streets to show how government schemes benefit residents. Nine days of events will showcase kick‑off ceremonies, new initiatives, and inaugurations of development work.
The week also honors outstanding community groups and districts. Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Ltd. (GLPC) will host a special ceremony to recognize Sakhi Mandals—women’s self‑help groups—highlighting winners from Rajkot, Amreli, Morbi, and Junagadh. Stalls will display their products and stories.
Districts that have excelled in the Swachhata Hi Seva (Cleanliness Service) campaign will receive awards in various categories: Dang as the top tribal district, Ahmedabad for the best non‑tribal district, Kheda for the best taluka, Navsari for the best gram panchayat, Bharuch for the best village, Rajkot for the best school, Sabarkantha for the best Sakhi Mandal, and Bhavnagar for the best public toilet.
With community‑driven programs, extra funding for villages, and a focus on clean and clean, sustainable development, Gujarat’s Vikas Saptah underscores the state’s commitment to strong local governance and inclusive growth.
Source: aninews
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