Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Chander Kumar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly elected presidents and vice-presidents of 242 gram panchayats across six development blocks of Kullu district on Monday. The ceremony took place at Atal Sadan in Kullu and was attended by numerous public representatives, officials, and dignitaries.
Minister Highlights Democratic Spirit
Addressing the gathering, Minister Chander Kumar emphasized that panchayat elections are not contested on party symbols, reflecting the true essence of democracy. This allows representatives to work beyond political affiliations for public welfare. He credited former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which granted constitutional status to panchayats and empowered them with administrative and financial authority.
Panchayati Raj as Democracy's Pillar
Congratulating the newly elected representatives, Chander Kumar described the Panchayati Raj system as the strongest pillar of Indian democracy. He stated that gram panchayats form the foundation of rural development and play a vital role in the holistic growth of villages. The minister urged the elected leaders to serve all citizens impartially, without discrimination or favoritism, and to prioritize public service above all else.
He called upon educated young representatives to understand their powers and responsibilities and to ensure that panchayats are run with integrity, honesty, and transparency. “Ensure people’s participation in development works and move forward with trust and cooperation,” he said.
Vision for Model Villages
Chander Kumar further urged the representatives to work towards transforming their villages into model centers of development, cleanliness, transparency, and public welfare over the next five years. The event underscored the importance of grassroots governance in strengthening democracy and fostering rural progress.
