Bihar – National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 | PM launches ₹13,480 crore projects

Why in News

  • PM Modi launched development projects worth ₹13,480 crore in Madhubani, Bihar, marking National Panchayati Raj Day (24 April 2025).

  • Included infrastructure, rural development, agriculture, women empowerment, and anti-terror resolve statements.


Key Announcements & Initiatives

1. Panchayati Raj & Rural Governance

  • Tech-enabled Panchayats: 2 lakh Gram Panchayats connected to internet; 5.5 lakh CSCs operational in villages.

  • 30,000 Panchayat Bhawans constructed nationwide.

  • Over ₹2 lakh crore given to Panchayats in last decade.

  • Digitisation of land records to resolve disputes.

  • Bihar: First state with 50% reservation for women in Panchayats.

  • 33% women reservation law passed for Lok Sabha & State Assemblies.

2. Women Empowerment

  • ‘Jeevika Didi’ programme: ₹1,000 crore assistance to SHGs in Bihar.

  • Target: 3 crore Lakhpati Didis nationwide.

3. Housing & Basic Amenities

  • PMAY: 4 crore houses built nationwide in last decade; Bihar—57 lakh houses.

  • New target: 3 crore more houses; 1.5 lakh families in Bihar getting new homes now.

  • Jal Jeevan Mission: 12 crore+ rural tap water connections.

  • Electrification: 2.5 crore households; LPG coverage expansion.

4. Health & Education

  • AIIMS in Darbhanga, new medical college in Jhanjharpur.

  • 1.5 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs nationwide (10,000+ in Bihar).

  • 800+ Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Bihar (₹2,000 crore savings).

  • Ayushman Bharat: free treatment to lakhs in Bihar.

5. Connectivity

  • Metro in Patna; Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Patna–Jaynagar.

  • Flagged off Amrit Bharat Express (Saharsa–Mumbai).

  • New rail lines: Supaul–Pipra, Hasanpur–Bithan, Khagaria–Alauli.

  • Darbhanga Airport operational; Patna Airport expansion.

6. Agriculture & Flood Management

  • ₹11,000 crore flood mitigation plan for Mithila & Kosi region.

  • Dams on Bagmati, Dhar, Budhi Gandak, Kosi; irrigation canals.

  • Makhana: GI tag, Makhana Board, Makhana Research Centre (national status).

  • Fisheries boost via PM Matsya Sampada Yojana.

7. Anti-Terror Message

  • Condemned Pahalgam terror attack (22 April 2025).

  • Asserted zero tolerance, global pursuit of perpetrators.


Significance for UPSC

  • Polity & Governance: Panchayati Raj evolution, women reservation, digital governance.

  • Economy: Rural infrastructure push, SHG empowerment, agriculture value-chain (Makhana).

  • Geography: Flood control & irrigation in North Bihar rivers.

  • Security: Terrorism & internal security policy stance.

  • Schemes in News: PMAY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Ayushman Bharat, PM Matsya Sampada, DAY-NRLM.