Khandre was speaking at the Bengaluru Urban Zilla Panchayat office after administering an oath of dedication, efficiency and integrity to 528 Grade-I Secretaries who were promoted as Panchayat Development Officers (PDOs).

He said Gram Panchayats have a crucial responsibility in implementing development works such as providing safe drinking water, roads, drainage facilities and developing lakes. PDOs must discharge these responsibilities with commitment, transparency and efficiency, he said.

Referring to the prevailing rainfall deficit in the state, Khandre said no rural resident should be forced to migrate in search of employment. Despite the financial burden on the state, the government has implemented the VBG RAM G scheme, and the newly promoted PDOs have an important role in its effective implementation.

Under the scheme, works such as groundwater recharge, cattle shed construction, roads and canals, among a total of 318 categories of works, can be taken up. Khandre urged the newly promoted PDOs, who have already served as Gram Panchayat secretaries, to work efficiently to generate greater employment opportunities for rural communities. At present, around three lakh person-days of employment are being generated every day. The Minister set a target of creating five to six lakh person-days of employment per day by the end of the month under VBG RAM G and urged PDOs to work towards achieving it.Khandre also stressed the importance of cleanliness in villages, noting that sanitation plays a crucial role in protecting community health. PDOs were instructed to give priority to maintaining cleanliness and sanitation in their respective Gram Panchayat areas. He also called upon the officials to ensure that Arivu Kendras (libraries) functioning under Gram Panchayats are effectively utilised to improve knowledge and learning opportunities for rural students.

The Minister further urged Panchayat staff to improve their technical knowledge and ensure timely delivery of e-Swathu services. He also directed them to protect government properties, including lakes and ponds, within Gram Panchayat limits.

Khandre said he intends to introduce the "Namma Hola Namma Daari" (Our Farm, Our Road) initiative and would formulate a plan in this regard. He also called for greater focus on education, community health and tackling malnutrition among children in rural areas.

Urging the newly promoted PDOs to perform well in their respective Panchayats, Khandre said their sole objective should be rural development and administered an oath to them to discharge their duties with honesty and efficiency. Department Commissioner Dr. Arundathi Chandrashekar, Bengaluru Urban Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Yatish and other officials attended the programme.