Govt to empower Panchayati Raj institutions

The new government will focus on improving quality of life in villages through empowered Panchayati Raj institutions and developing basic infrastructure in rural areas.
Outlining the government's policy in the joint session of Parliament, President Pranab Mukherjee observed that adequate public amenities and livelihood opportunities could not be provided to majority of people living in rural areas.
"Despite more than two-thirds of our people living in rural areas; we have not been able to provide adequate public amenities and livelihood opportunities to them.
My government is committed to improving the quality of life in our villages, through empowered Panchayati Raj institutions," the President said.

He said a substantial part of investment will focus on creating community assets and improving basic infrastructure such as roads, shelter, power and drinking water facilities.
"My government will strive to end the rural-urban divide guided by the idea of Rurban; providing urban amenities to rural areas while preserving the ethos of the villages," he said.