Camp : Kathwara, Raebareli (UP)
Date : 5th February 2011
          
                              Panchayat Raj is the foundation of our Democracy: Sonia Gandhi

Panchayat Raj is the foundation of our Democracy. Our Country is a nation of villages. Rajivji used to go to villages and tried to understand their pain and then he realized that the benefits of the schemes was not reaching the villages. And this was the reason he started Panchayat Raj aandolan, where a lot of thinking was done and finally Panchayat Raj legislation came and was implemented all over the country. During Rajivji's PrimeMinistership Jawahar Rozgaar Yojana got implemented. Through which for the first time Panchayats directly got resources from the Central Government.   This is the result of Rajivji's vision that adivasi and dalit got reservation. Provision has been made for one third reservation for women and it's the result of this that today you are the real soldier of our Democracy and symbol of Gramsabha. Our UPA government has introduced few amendments, 29 subjects connected to basic development has been handed over to the Panchayats where Panchayats would take the responsibility of the execution of the jobs and money being transferred to Panchayats directly by the Central Government. These are some of the few examples.
Women Reservation bill for 50% reservation has been introduced by us in the Lok Sabha.
Your role in the overall development of our villages is very crucial. You can develop your area keeping in mind the local sentiments and reality. Where the elected representatives are aware and alert, progress is fast. The panchayats have got the right to provide the poor employment in MAhatma Gandhi NREGA, build public amenities and help the needy getting benefited from pension and Indira Aawaas Yojana.
I request my sisters present here that the way you work towards making your family healthy and strong the same way Gram Sabhas should also be made effective. Female representatives do face a lot of social hindrances while at work, so successfully executing the job becomes much more challenging. I am confident that you are ready for this test. You should always remember this that you have to take every section of the society along and that's the commitment you have made.
At this occasion I would like to remind you that taking a pledge is a commitment, a challenge, a responsibility. Post has come to you with responsibility. Being loved and respected by our people and maintaining it is the biggest challenge.