having attained the Nirmal Status of being open defacation free at a function in Vigyan Bhawan here today.
Speaking on the occasion she said panchayats, as elected bodies at the grass root level have direct contact with the people, and they play a milti-faceted role in rural development. Since, the panchayats function as “Knowledge Kiosks’ for dissemination of information about government programmes and policies, as well as of new and better farming technology, and for creating awareness regarding cleanliness and hygine. Hence, proper training and information upgradation of Panchayat members should be constantly and vigorously taken up