Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday called upon newly elected Panchayat leaders in Assam to serve the people with unwavering integrity, accountability, and a commitment to development. Addressing a gathering in Dibrugarh, Sonowal praised the enthusiastic public participation in the recent Panchayat elections and said the results reflected people’s trust in grassroots democracy.
The event, held to welcome newly elected representatives, drew large attendance from rural leaders and state officials. Sonowal highlighted the critical role Panchayats play in the state’s governance structure and asked leaders to focus on transparent and efficient service delivery.
Grassroots Democracy Gets a Boost
Sonowal said the democratic spirit of Assam was on full display during the elections. “The high voter turnout is a testament to the people’s faith in democratic values. Panchayat leaders must now rise to the occasion and become true servants of the people,” he said.
He reminded them that the Panchayati Raj system is not just a formality but a powerful tool for social change. “From rural sanitation to education and roads, Panchayats are the foundation of transformation. That power must be used with honesty and responsibility,” he added.
Integrity and Accountability Stressed
During his speech, Sonowal warned against misuse of public funds and corruption. “If you fail to act with integrity, you are betraying the people who trusted you with their vote. Accountability is not optional; it is your duty,” he said.
He encouraged leaders to actively involve local communities in the decision-making process and ensure that welfare schemes reach the last mile. He also called on them to use technology for better governance, citing online grievance redressal platforms and real-time monitoring systems.
Criticism of Congress Era and Praise for BJP Governance
Sonowal did not hold back in criticising the Congress era in Assam. He accused the previous governments of neglect, corruption, and policy paralysis. “The Congress regime brought stagnation and widespread underdevelopment. Rural Assam was ignored, and public money was looted,” he claimed.
He credited the BJP-led government for transforming the state’s rural infrastructure and introducing direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes that have eliminated middlemen. He cited flagship initiatives like PM Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and MGNREGA as examples of programs delivering tangible benefits under BJP rule.
Focus on Youth, Women and Rural Development
The Minister also highlighted the importance of youth and women in the Panchayati Raj system. “Our future depends on how effectively we empower young leaders and women representatives in village governance,” he said. He urged them to work on skill development, micro-enterprise creation, and girl child education.
Sonowal pointed to the Assam Government’s schemes such as Orunodoi and Sakhi Express to empower rural women and said Panchayat leaders should become ambassadors of change at the grassroots level.
CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Praised
Sonowal praised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his governance model, calling him a “dynamic leader transforming Assam with unmatched speed and precision.” He said Sarma’s leadership has instilled confidence among citizens and added momentum to rural development.
“From border security to rural healthcare, the CM is working on all fronts. Panchayats must align with this vision and work as partners in progress,” Sonowal stated.
Future Vision
In his closing remarks, Sonowal urged Panchayat leaders to take a pledge for clean, corruption-free governance. “Don’t just be representatives. Be changemakers. Be visionaries. The people of Assam are watching,” he concluded.
He announced the launch of capacity-building workshops for Panchayat heads in the coming months, to be jointly organised by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Assam Government.