Gujarat Goes Smart: 16 Villages Selected for Development Initiative
Gandhinagar : Marking a major step towards rural transformation, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the selection of 16 villages across five districts as "Smart Villages" under the state's ambitious Smart Village Incentive Scheme. This initiative, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Rurban-Soul of Village, Convenience of City," aims to make rural communities smart, sustainable, and convenient on par with urban areas.
Sixteen Villages Across Five Districts Chosen:
- Saurashtra: Rajkot district takes the lead with six villages: Raidi, Thanagaol, Veernagar, Anandpara (Nawa), Satapara, and Lodhika.
- Junagadh: Five villages – Chorwadi, Samdhiala, Dhandhusar, Matiana, and Balagam – join the program.
- Jamnagar: Three villages – Peepar, Wakiya, and Sidsar – are selected.
- South Gujarat: Adatala in Botad district and Mahuwar in Navsari district complete the list.
Empowering Local Development:
Each Gram Panchayat (village council) in these chosen villages will receive a prize money of Rs 5 lakh, which will be directly integrated into their Swakosh fund for development works. This financial boost aims to empower local communities to address their specific needs and priorities.
Criteria for Selection:
- Villages must be connected by road and have a population between 2,000 and 6,000.
- Basic infrastructure like paved roads, gutter systems, street lights, and sanitation facilities are mandatory.
- Villages must demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability through open defecation-free status and solar rooftop installations.
- Effective waste management practices, regular tax collection, and digitalization through smart e-village centers are crucial aspects.
A Model for Sustainable Growth:
Inspired by Prime Minister Modi's vision, Chief Minister Patel has expanded the Smart Village scheme, aiming to create model villages that showcase good governance, technological integration, and improved quality of life for rural residents. These villages are envisioned to serve as "action laboratories" for learning and replication across the state.
Selection Process:
- Gram Panchayats participated in the scheme by meeting stringent criteria and submitting applications.
- Multi-level committees conducted thorough inspections and evaluations before selecting villages based on merit.
- Only Gram Panchayats achieving 90% or above in merit assessments qualified for the final selection.
16 Villages Pave the Way:
The selection of these 16 villages marks a significant step forward in Gujarat's journey towards building smart, sustainable, and thriving rural communities. This initiative holds immense potential to empower local communities, improve living standards, and bridge the gap between urban and rural development.
