India Could Have Been a Developed Nation: Minister SP Singh Baghel on Panchayati Raj Challenges

Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel, speaking at the People’s Plan Campaign workshop, stated that India could have been a developed nation if Narendra Modi or a similar leader had become the Prime Minister post-independence. He emphasized the importance of fulfilling election promises and the challenges faced in implementing developmental plans at the grassroots level.

Minister of State for Panchayati Raj SP Singh Baghel asserted on Monday that India might have achieved developed nation status by now if Narendra Modi, or someone akin to him, had assumed the prime ministerial role shortly after the country gained independence. He made these remarks during a workshop dedicated to the People’s Plan Campaign, known as 'Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas' Abhiyan.

Recalling historical delays in governmental aid reaching villages, Baghel illustrated with examples from his own village, stating the first government assistance arrived in 1974 and a hand pump in 1980. 'The situation today is different,' he said, likening the country's development to a patient requiring treatment from a true doctor after being mishandled by quacks, suggesting the time needed for genuine progress.

Baghel encouraged Panchayat representatives to honour their election promises, criticizing those who focus on benefiting only their caste or supporters. Highlighting the importance of the Jal Jeevan Mission, he warned against relying solely on groundwater and advocated for focusing on 'Smart Villages' before 'Smart Cities'. The workshop also marked preparations for the 2024 People's Plan Campaign and introduced the Hindi version of the Ministry's website.