JAIPUR: On the National Panchayati Raj Divas , PM Narendra Modi interacted with the sarpanches from various states through video conferencing, but he didn't speak with anyone from Rajasthan, which laid the foundation stone of Panchayati Raj system in the country in 1957.He interacted with sarpanches from Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka , Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and Assam.Modi also launched the e-gram swarajya app and Swamitva Scheme on the occasion. The scheme will be launched on pilot mode in six states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, Rajasthan was not included.Chief minister Ashok Gehlot remembered the efforts of former prime ministers Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi in strengthening the panchayati raj institutions. He also thanked the panchayat representatives for fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and helping the poor.Deputy chief minister and rural development and panchayati raj department minister Sachin Pilot stressed on strengthening panchayat-level institutions on the occasion.“Best wishes on National Panchayati Raj Day . The soul of India lives in the villages, so the development of the country will be possible only when the villages develop. Gram panchayats are the pillar of development in a democratic system. Let us together build a strong panchayat-empowered India through strong panchayati raj,” Pilot said.“Greetings to Panchayati Raj representatives on National Panchayati Raj Day. We remember the efforts of our two PMs, Pt Nehru ji & Sh Rajiv Gandhi ji behind this. Rajiv ji’s vision was to give power to the people and bring democracy to the doorsteps of Indians,” Gehlot tweeted.“I thank all panchayat representatives on Panchayati Raj Day for standing with the government in this time of crisis. Panchayats in state are not only taking care of the poor & needy but are also ensuring success of lockdown, encouraging people to stay inside and follow quarantine measures,” the CM added.“To fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of Swaraj, Pandit Nehru started Panchayati Raj by lighting a lamp in Nagaur district. Today, on the occasion of Panchayati Raj Day, we take a pledge to empower the panchayati raj institutions so that the idea of panchayati raj remains strong,” tweeted the CM in Hindi.The e-gram swarajya app would help in preparing and executing gram panchayat development plans. The portal will ensure real-time monitoring and accountability. The portal is also a step towards digitisation down to the gram panchayat level.The Swamitva Scheme would help in mapping rural inhabited lands using drones and latest survey methods. The scheme will ensure streamlined planning, revenue collection and clarity over property rights in rural areas. This will open up avenues for owners to apply for loans from financial institutions. Disputes related to property would also be settled through the title deeds allotted under the scheme.