- Plans underway to install 20 kW capacity solar panels on ‘Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans’
Patna: Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary has issued directives to accelerate the construction of ‘Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans’ (Panchayat Government Buildings) and to ensure their proper maintenance and regular upkeep. He stated that the responsibility for the maintenance of these buildings should be entrusted to the very contractors who constructed them. To this end, an effective mechanism should be established to ensure the accountability of these contractors.
The Chief Minister was presiding over a review meeting of the Panchayati Raj Department on Friday at the ‘Sankalp’ hall, located at the residence of the public servant (official residence). He instructed officials to include the installation of solar panels in the original construction estimates for these buildings. Furthermore, he directed that this initiative be linked with the 15th Finance Commission and the 7th State Finance Commission to ensure the timely availability of necessary funds and to expedite the work.
The Chief Minister emphasized that relevant public representatives should be kept regularly informed about the status of electricity supply in the Panchayats. He proposed the formation of a dedicated team tasked with sending daily updates—detailing the hours of electricity supply in each Panchayat—to the registered mobile numbers of the respective Panchayat Mukhiyas (heads), MLAs, and MPs.
Additionally, the Chief Minister directed an increase in the capacity of solar panels installed on water towers. He suggested raising the capacity from the initially proposed 5 kW to 20 kW, allowing local residents to derive maximum benefit from the system. He instructed officials to take the necessary steps in this regard.
The Chief Minister stressed that schemes should be implemented in a manner that expands basic infrastructure within the Panchayats, ensures energy conservation, and provides better amenities to the people living in rural areas.
