Gujarat government approves Rs 663 crore for Gram Panchayat buildings in 2,666 villages

The Gujarat government announced construction of Gram Panchayat buildings‑cum‑talati residences in 2,666 villages at a cost of Rs 663 crore, and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana which will first cover 114 taluka‑headquarter villages without municipalities.

The Gujarat government announced construction of independent Gram Panchayat buildings‑cum‑talati residences in 2,666 villages at a total cost of Rs 663 crore. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel carried out a simultaneous e‑foundation laying from Bhadaran village in Anand district. At the same event, he launched the Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana, presented as a scheme to provide urban‑equivalent facilities to selected villages. The announcement linked the initiative to the state's focus on village‑level development and related water‑conservation and farming efforts. Key facts: - The programme covers construction in 2,666 villages with a reported total outlay of Rs 663 crore. - The buildings are described as Gram Panchayat buildings combined with talati residences to help villagers access government services and improve administrative efficiency. - Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed a simultaneous e‑foundation laying from Bhadaran village in Anand district during the launch. - The Mukhyamantri Gramotthan Yojana was launched statewide; its first phase will cover 114 villages that function as taluka headquarters but do not have municipalities. - The scheme is reported to offer urban‑equivalent facilities such as improved roads, water supply, sanitation, solar street lighting, e‑Gram services and community halls. - The announcement also mentioned water conservation under the 'Catch the Rain' campaign, a special allocation of Rs 50 lakh per MLA for local recharge infrastructure, and an appeal for cow‑based natural farming. Summary: The state says the measures aim to improve access to government services at the village level and help reduce development gaps between rural and urban areas. The first phase targets 114 taluka‑headquarter villages without municipalities, and officials indicated the scheme could be extended to Gram Panchayats with populations over 10,000 in coming years.