Maharajganj (UP), Oct 25 (Reporter) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday underscored the need for Nagar Panchayats and local bodies to focus on development projects that not only improve civic amenities but also create employment opportunities. The CM inaugurated 505 development projects worth Rs 940 crore along with the newly constructed office building of Nagar Panchayat Chowk Bazar. He said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set an ambitious target for 'Atma Nirbhar' and 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, encouraging citizens to engage with both development and heritage. The government is working on a war footing to realise this goal, but there is also a unique role for local bodies, gram panchayats and the public to reflect on how they can contribute in building a developed India." Yogi said, "It is crucial for Nagar Panchayats and local bodies to connect with developmental areas that not only expand civic services but also open avenues for employment." During the event, he felicitated beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Yuva Rojgar Yojana, Divyangjan Swavalamban Scheme, Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana and Matsya Sampada Yojana, along with various beneficiary-oriented schemes from the Rural Development Department, MSME, Agriculture Department and Horticulture Department. He presented symbolic cheques, keys, certificates, and gifts to mark their achievements. The CM also distributed tablets to youth under the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Sashaktikaran Yojana and handed out appointment letters to those recently employed in the Revenue Department, Youth Welfare Department, Basic Education Department, Home Guard, and Social Welfare Department. As a Diwali gesture, he also provided gifts to all beneficiaries present. The projects inaugurated and for which foundation stones were laid span critical sectors, including roads, education, vocational training, healthcare, support for stray cattle, vending zones for street vendors, drinking water facilities, tourism development, police services, and fire brigades. Highlighting the commitment of the central and state government to make India a developed nation, Yogi said, "Major highways, Airports, medical colleges, IITs, schools, and colleges are being constructed. Additionally, significant advancements are underway in industry and employment. To support this development journey, local bodies, gram panchayats, and citizens must also reflect on their roles." He proposed shaping the Nagar Panchayat secretariat similarly to the Gram Sachivalaya model. He said that just as Gram Sachivalayas have become centres for both citizen services and employment generation, the Nagar Panchayat secretariat could be developed to serve these dual purposes as well. The CM said that Gram Panchayats are becoming hubs of employment through five key avenues. "Firstly, computer operators have been appointed at Gram Sachivalayas to assist with the issuance of essential certificates, such as income, birth, death, and residence. This enables residents to access these services locally rather than traveling to tehsils or district headquarters, while also providing employment to youth from the village," he said. He said, "The second employment opportunity comes from the operation of public toilets, where Gram Panchayats hire a woman caretaker, with her salary funded through user charges. The third role in villages is that of BC Sakhi, who facilitates banking transactions for villagers and earns honorarium and incentives. Currently, there are 42,000 BC Sakhis active across UP." Expanding on employment potential, Yogi said, "The fourth job opportunity arises with the setting up of Convention Centres in villages. These centres will not only provide venues for events such as weddings but also create maintenance-related jobs for locals." He said, "The fifth employment opportunity will be at ration shops. In addition to ration distribution, general consumer goods will now be sold at these shops, supported by government-built warehouses that will provide a job for a local resident." The CM expressed that these initiatives will help ground government schemes effectively while advancing the vision of self-reliant panchayats as part of a self-reliant India. He said that if gram panchayats, which receive limited funds, create additional sources of income, the government will provide substantial support, ensuring no shortage of resources. "This approach would also apply to Nagar Panchayats," he said. He encouraged local bodies to pursue self-reliance, emphasising that, with the government’s support, gram and Nagar panchayats have every reason to become financially independent. "This will require hard work and dedicated effort. By developing public facilities, gram, and Nagar panchayats can steadily advance toward self-sufficiency," he said. On this occasion, Yogi also shared practical suggestions for Nagar Panchayat self-reliance. He suggested that Nagar Panchayats could boost their revenue by establishing shopping complexes, engaging in fish farming in local ponds, and organizing street vendors into designated zones. He highlighted the transformative development of Chowk Bazar since it became a Nagar Panchayat. Reflecting on the previously poor condition of the road from Maharajganj to Chowk Bazar, he said, "Today, the road is so well-constructed that Maharajganj’s Chowk Bazar has become comparable to Hazratganj in Lucknow." The CM highlighted that Chowk Bazar, designated as a Nagar Panchayat in 2020, has achieved remarkable progress in just four years. Congratulating residents across the district, he expressed that this pre-Diwali gift of developmental projects would amplify the joy of the festival. He also extended his gratitude to the Air India family for their CSR contribution, which has supported the rejuvenation of two schools within the Basic Education Department...////...