Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said that the role of Panchayats in central programmes would be strengthened.
Speaking at a National Convention of Presidents of Zilla Parishads and intermediate Panchayats here, Dr. Singh lauded the role played by women in panchayat raj.
"Our great success in this field has been the number of women representatives that outnumber the sum total elected women representatives all over the world. Political and social empowerment of Indian women is the greatest success of Panchayati Raj. It is unique in world history and in the modern era," Dr Singh said.
Highlighting importance of the institution, he said: "Panchayats play an important role in the management of local school under the Education for All Campaign. Through these efforts, we have been able to open schools in almost all inhabited party of the country."
He further said that Panchayats are also playing a major role in implementation of mid-day meal scheme across the country.
Dr Singh also called for inclusion of local Panchayats in Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Talking about the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government's flagship programme National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), he said that Panchayats are playing very important role in providing jobs to rural people.
grammesManmohan Singh
