By Kavita Sharma
Photo Credit: The Suncity News
Patna, May 8, 2026: Deepak Prakash officially assumed charge as Minister of the Panchayati Raj Department for the second time.
He was welcomed by Panchayati Raj Department Secretary Manoj Kumar, who presented him with a bouquet at the department office.
After taking charge, the minister reviewed the status of departmental schemes and issued several directives aimed at improving transparency and efficiency in implementation.
Deepak Prakash highlighted solar street light maintenance:
Deepak Prakash directed the department to establish a stronger and more effective mechanism for maintaining solar street lights installed under the “Chief Minister Rural Solar Street Light Scheme” across Gram Panchayats in Bihar.
Deepak Prakash also instructed officials to ensure faster resolution of public complaints related to the scheme, strengthen monitoring mechanisms, and improve grassroots-level implementation of Panchayati Raj initiatives.
He further directed the department to expedite policy decisions related to granting administrative approval for welfare schemes funded through Finance Commission allocations.
Emphasis on grassroots development:
Deepak Prakash stated that the state government remains committed to strengthening Gram Panchayats as empowered units of rural development.
He said the Panchayati Raj Department would continue working toward making local self-governance institutions more transparent, accountable, effective and more people-centric.
He also linked the department’s role to the broader vision of “Developed India @ 2047” under Narendra Modi and the goal of building a “Developed Bihar” under Samrat Choudhary’s leadership.
Director Naveen Kumar Singh and other officials were present during the occasion.
Sanjay Singh ‘Tiger’ assumes charge of the law department:
Sanjay Singh, popularly known as “Tiger,” formally assumed charge as Bihar’s Law Minister.
He was welcomed by Basno Shankar Mehrotra, who presented him with a bouquet.
Following the formal assumption of office, senior officials briefed the minister on the structure of the law department, department functioning and administrative responsibilities.
The minister also interacted with officers and staff members and directed all employees to discharge their duties with dedication and sincerity.
Lakhendra Kumar Raushan takes charge of the SC-ST Welfare department:
Lakhendra Kumar Raushan formally assumed charge as Minister of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Welfare Department at the Secretariat office in Patna.
During the event, the minister highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the government during its first 100 days, including the expansion of quality education in Ambedkar residential schools, doubling of scholarships for hostel students, overseas scholarship-related initiatives, and welfare schemes targeting marginalized communities.
Focus on Backward SC-ST hamlets:
Raushan emphasized that the department’s top priority would be improving infrastructure and welfare services in SC-ST dominated villages and hamlets that remain underdeveloped in areas such as roads, buildings, education and basic public infrastructure.
He said efforts would be made to connect such areas to the mainstream of development at a faster pace.
The minister also highlighted the role of “Vikas Mitras” in ensuring that government welfare schemes reach beneficiaries effectively at the grassroots level.
He reiterated that the department would continue working toward the social, economic, and educational upliftment of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities across Bihar.
Department Secretary Sandeep Kumar R Pudalkatti and Director Priyanka Rani welcomed the minister during the ceremony.
EOM.
