Ahead of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu to grace the nationwide “Panchayati Raj Diwas” celebrations on 24^th April, 2022, a preparatory joint meeting of M/o Rural Development and Panchayati Raj with six science Departments of Science & Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, D/o Biotechnology, D/o Space, D/o Atomic Energy and Ministry of Earth Sciences was held at Prithvi Bhawan, New Delhi today. The aim of the meeting was to showcase latest technology and innovations which are beneficial for rural areas and farming. 

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh and Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh discussed various aspects and possibilities of integration of Science & Technology with the themes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj on the occasion of Prime Minister’s visit to Jammu.

During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh proposed that instead of having conventional stalls at the event, we should showcase latest technology which can add value to farmers’ income and science-based demonstration with Panchayati Raj features.

Minister for Rural Development ad Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh said that event will be followed by many such science & technology innovations in areas related to Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.   

Panchayat Palli in Jammu has been selected for the Panchayati Raj Diwas function this year and an exhibition showcasing latest innovations will be put up enabling farmers, sarpanchs and village heads to improve their income and their produce. Amongst important innovation that are planned to be showcased, are geospatial technology for rural development and farmers, apps usable by farmers for weather forecast for five days, lavender cultivation famously known as purple revolution, biotechnology innovation to increase produce of apple at the same land to increase farmers’ income, drone application for pesticide spray and waste treatment, shelf life of fruits to be increased through atomic radiation etc.

It was decided that after two more such meetings a bigger meeting will be held to finalise details of the event to be held on 24^th April, 2022. Even though, the event will be held in Jammu, lakhs of Gram Panchayats will be able to connect and watch the event, virtually.

The meeting was attended by Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, M/o Rural Development, Shri Sunil Kumar, Secretary, M/o Panchayati Raj, Dr. Srivari Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST, Dr. Shekher C Mande, DG, CSIR, Dr. Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, D/o Biotechnology, Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary, M/o Earth Sciences, and Shri S Somnath, Secretary, D/o Space. Ms. Mandeep Kaur, Secretary, D/o Rural department and Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu-Kashmir joined the meeting virtually.

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SNC / RR