The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, inaugurated and laid the foundation for various developmental projects valued at over Rs 13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar, coinciding with National Panchayati Raj Day. He observed a moment of silence for the victims of the Pahalgam attacks from April 22, 2025, before emphasizing the day’s significance in establishing a connection between the nation and Mithila. Modi highlighted the launch of initiatives aimed at boosting Bihar’s infrastructure, electricity, and railways, with an expectation of creating new job opportunities.
Paying tribute to the celebrated poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar, he highlighted Bihar’s historical importance as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha, reiterating Gandhi’s notion that India can thrive only if its villages do. Over the past decade, the government has made considerable progress in empowering the Panchayati Raj system, achieved through technological advancements that have connected over 2 lakh Gram Panchayats to the internet. Moreover, more than 5.5 lakh Common Service Centers have been established in rural sectors to enhance access to essential documents.
The Prime Minister also announced the construction of 30,000 new Panchayat Bhawans and noted the allocation of over ₹2 lakh crore to support village development. Recognizing ongoing land disputes affecting Gram Panchayats, he mentioned efforts to digitize land records to provide efficient resolution. Emphasizing women’s empowerment, Shri Modi pointed out that Bihar was the first state to ensure 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj, thereby promoting representation from economically weaker and marginalized communities, a step towards social justice.
He referred to the introduction of a new 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, aimed at enhancing women’s representation on a national scale. The Prime Minister highlighted the success of the transformative ‘Jeevika Didi’ program, which has disbursed around ₹1,000 crore through women’s self-help groups, thereby contributing to the upliftment of women’s incomes and employment opportunities.
Modi also asserted the success of the PM Awas Yojana, having constructed over 4 crore permanent homes in the past decade, with significant benefits to marginalized communities in Bihar. He announced plans for an additional 3 crore homes for the poor, supporting families with financial assistance for permanent housing.
The Prime Minister of India highlighted significant infrastructure advancements over the past decade, establishing a robust foundation for a developed nation. He reported that over 12 crore rural families now have access to tap water, and more than 2.5 crore households have been electrified, with many receiving gas cylinders for cooking. Remote regions, including Ladakh and Siachen, have also benefitted from improved mobile network connectivity with 4G and 5G services. In healthcare, the expansion of AIIMS institutions beyond major cities is noteworthy, with new facilities in Darbhanga and a doubling of medical colleges nationwide. The introduction of over 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, including over 10,000 in Bihar, aims to enhance healthcare accessibility. Additionally, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, providing medicines at an 80% discount, have saved residents of Bihar ₹2,000 crore in healthcare expenses. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has significantly benefited many families in Bihar through free medical treatment.
The Prime Minister emphasized improvements in connectivity through advancements in infrastructure, particularly in railways, roads, and airports. Ongoing metro projects in Patna and the launch of the ‘Namo Bharat Rapid Rail’ service are set to reduce travel times across Bihar. Modernization efforts for railway stations and expansions at Darbhanga and Patna airports are also underway, which will generate new employment opportunities statewide.
PM Modi underscored the essential role of farmers in bolstering the rural economy, stating that a strong farming community supports villages and, ultimately, the nation. He addressed flood challenges in the Mithila and Kosi regions, announcing a government investment of ₹11,000 crore to mitigate flood impacts. This funding will support the construction of dams on rivers like Bagmati, Dhar, Budhi Gandak, and Kosi and develop canals for enhanced irrigation.
Moreover, he highlighted the global recognition of makhana as a superfood, which has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for its regional identity. The establishment of a national Makhana Research Centre and provisions in the Budget for a Makhana Board aim to uplift the livelihoods of makhana farmers by facilitating international market access. Finally, he announced the creation of the National Institute of Food Technology and Management in Bihar, designed to support youth entrepreneurs in launching small food processing enterprises, thereby further enhancing the agricultural sector.
