Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar, on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day. The Prime Minister also appealed for a moment of silence to mourn the victims of the Pahalgam attacks on April 22, 2025. Addressing the crowd, he emphasized that this day connects the entire nation with Mithila and Bihar, highlighting the importance of these projects in boosting electricity, railways, and infrastructure in Bihar, thus creating new employment opportunities. Shri Modi paid tribute to national icon and poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar Ji on his death anniversary and reiterated the significance of Bihar as a region where Mahatma Gandhi expanded the mantra of Satyagraha. He remarked that Mahatma Gandhi's belief in India's development through empowered villages was foundational to the Panchayati Raj system. Empowering Panchayats through Technology In his speech, Shri Modi highlighted the government's continuous steps over the past decade to empower Panchayats, emphasizing the role of technology in strengthening them. Over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats have been connected to the internet in the last ten years. The Prime Minister also mentioned that more than 5.5 lakh Common Service Centers have been set up in villages, offering crucial services like birth and death certificates and landholding certificates. Additionally, the government has prioritized ensuring adequate funds for Panchayats, with over Rs 2 lakh crore allocated for the development of villages in the past decade. Addressing Land Disputes and Social Justice Shri Modi acknowledged the persistent issue of land disputes in rural India, particularly in Gram Panchayats, and noted that the ongoing digitization of land records is helping resolve these disputes effectively. He further praised Bihar's progress in social justice, with the state becoming the first to offer 50% reservation for women in Panchayats. He also discussed the establishment of a law ensuring 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, which will empower women across India. The Prime Minister also lauded the success of the 'Jeevika Didi' program in Bihar, which has provided financial assistance to self-help groups of women, helping to increase their income and self-employment opportunities. He highlighted the construction of permanent houses, roads, gas, and water connections in rural areas, which have greatly benefited laborers, farmers, and shopkeepers. Major Housing and Infrastructure Projects in Bihar Shri Modi discussed the PM Awas Yojana (PMAY), which has provided over 4 crore permanent houses in India, including 57 lakh homes in Bihar alone. He announced that in the coming years, an additional 3 crore permanent houses will be provided to the poor, with 1.5 lakh families in Bihar moving into their new homes today. The government has also issued approval letters for the construction of new houses, including 3.5 lakh beneficiaries from Bihar. The Prime Minister highlighted infrastructure developments, noting that the past decade has seen significant investments in railways, roads, and airports. He announced the launch of the ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’ service between Patna and Jaynagar, which will reduce travel time and benefit people in the region. Additionally, several new railway lines have been inaugurated, including the Amrit Bharat express between Saharsa and Mumbai, and new railway stations are being modernized. Boosting Healthcare and Connectivity Shri Modi pointed out the strides made in healthcare, with AIIMS now being established in Darbhanga and the number of medical colleges in India doubling in the past decade. Over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been set up across the country, including more than 10,000 in Bihar, providing affordable healthcare services. The Prime Minister also emphasized improvements in connectivity, mentioning the expansion of Darbhanga Airport and the ongoing expansion of Patna Airport. Additionally, metro projects are underway in Patna, and several cities across India are now connected to metro services. Agriculture and Flood Control Initiatives Shri Modi discussed the government's efforts to address the challenges posed by floods in the Mithila and Kosi regions of Bihar. He announced an investment of Rs 11,000 crore to construct dams and canals on rivers like Bagmati, Dhar, and Kosi to improve irrigation and mitigate flood risks. This initiative will ensure adequate water supply to farmers' fields. Promotion of Makhana and Fisheries Development Highlighting Bihar's cultural heritage, the Prime Minister mentioned the global recognition of Makhana as a superfood, with the product now receiving a GI tag. He noted that the Makhana Research Centre has been given national status, and the Makhana Board has been set up to transform the fortunes of farmers in the region. Furthermore, Bihar has made significant progress in fisheries, with fishermen now benefiting from the Kisan Credit Card and projects under the PM Matsya Sampada Yojana. Commitment to Justice and National Security The Prime Minister also condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, expressing deep sorrow for the victims and offering condolences to the grieving families. He assured the nation that every effort is being made to bring those responsible to justice. He emphasized that India will track and punish every terrorist and their handlers, reinforcing the nation's resolve against terrorism. The Vision for a Developed Bihar Concluding his speech, Shri Modi emphasized that a developed Bihar is crucial for a developed India. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that every section and region of Bihar benefits from the ongoing development projects, and expressed gratitude to the people and leaders of the state for their support. Present at the event were Bihar Governor Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar, and several Union Ministers, including Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Shri Jitan Ram Manji, Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri Chirag Paswan, Shri Nityanand Rai, Shri Ram Nath Thakur, and Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary. Background Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the National Panchayati Raj Day program in Madhubani, Bihar, where he presented the National Panchayat Awards. He also inaugurated several projects to improve the region's infrastructure, including an LPG bottling plant, power infrastructure projects, new railway lines, and the construction of new houses for beneficiaries of the PMAY scheme.