Dehradun, Aug. 1 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday directed officials to equip newly elected panchayat representatives with comprehensive training in modern technology, financial management, and governance systems while asserting that empowered local bodies are key to achieving the national goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Chairing a high-level review meeting of the panchayati raj department at the secretariat, Dhami emphasised the pivotal role of grassroots governance in driving rural transformation and said that the development of villages is essential for the overall progress of the state and the nation. "We must work in alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to make India a developed country by 2047. For this, integrated efforts from every level of governance, especially at the village level, are essential," he said. Dhami said that the government will construct Integrated Panchayat Bhawans across the state. "These buildings will house key village-level functionaries... under one roof. A roster should be prepared to ensure that these officials are present regularly in the Bhawan. This will bring transparency, increase efficiency, and provide villagers with all services in one place." He also asked the department to conduct a 15-year projection of rural areas likely to transition into urban zones. The CM also chaired a review meeting of the housing department during which he directed officials to fast-track the preparation of master plans for various cities and emphasised the need to assess their carrying capacities in view of rapid urbanisation and population pressure....