Know Your MP: Ramprit Mandal, Jhanjharpur’s Grassroots Change-Maker
"From Roads to Renewal: How Ramprit Mandal’s MPLADS Strategy is Changing the Face of Rural Jhanjharpur"
Paromita Das
New Delhi, 5th November: Born in 1956 in Durgipatti, Madhubani district, Ramprit Mandal is a dedicated leader of the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) party. He represents the Jhanjharpur constituency in Bihar and has been elected to the 17th and 18th Lok Sabha, winning his seat in 2019 and securing re-election in 2024 by a margin of over 184,000 votes. As a member of the Dhanuk caste, categorized as an Extremely Backward Caste by Bihar’s government, Mandal embodies the aspirations of many marginalized communities in his region, making his leadership all the more significant.
Funding Dreams: How MPLADS Powered Transformation
During his current tenure from 2019 to 2024, Ramprit Mandal received approximately ₹5 crore under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). This funding allowed him to invest strategically in projects that directly address the core needs of his constituency. Mandal’s disciplined focus on grassroots development includes improvements to infrastructure, education, health, and sanitation, reflecting a comprehensive approach aimed at sustainable progress.
Roadways to Reform: Mandal’s Focus on Connectivity
Nearly ₹1.8 crore of Mandal’s MPLADS allocation was dedicated to upgrading rural roads, small bridges, and connectivity routes within Jhanjharpur. These infrastructure enhancements facilitated better access for farmers and villagers to markets, education, and healthcare centers, effectively reducing travel time and improving economic activities. Improved connectivity has been instrumental in breaking rural isolation and accelerating growth in remote villages.
Schools Reborn: Investing in Education for Tomorrow
Education has been a cornerstone of Mandal’s development agenda, with around ₹1.2 crore channeled into revitalizing government schools throughout his constituency. Projects included renovating classrooms, constructing separate sanitation facilities for boys and girls, and ensuring schools had access to clean drinking water. These upgrades were crucial in increasing enrollment and reducing dropout rates, particularly encouraging girls’ education by improving hygiene infrastructure.
Health and Hygiene: Serving Basic Needs First
Mandal allocated approximately ₹1.5 crore to bolster healthcare infrastructure in Jhanjharpur. Investments included the provision of medical equipment to primary health centers and the construction of community sanitation facilities like toilets and water purification systems. These measures have notably improved public health, mitigated the impact of waterborne diseases, and enhanced overall quality of life, especially in flood-prone areas.
Empowering the Margins: Development Beyond Statistics
As a leader belonging to the Dhanuk community, Mandal remains deeply invested in uplifting marginalized groups within his constituency. His targeted use of MPLADS funds ensures projects reach the most vulnerable sections of the population, providing access to essential infrastructure and social services that can break cycles of poverty and social exclusion.
Building Trust, Securing the Future
Mandal’s parliamentary participation has been marked by high attendance rates exceeding 89%, coupled with consistent engagement in debates and discussions. His transparency and focus on tangible development have earned him solid trust among voters, who see in his work a meaningful transformation of their everyday lives. Every road paved, school renovated, and clinic upgraded under his stewardship paints a picture of committed, responsive governance rooted in public service.
Ramprit Mandal’s use of MPLADS funds has had a profound impact on the Jhanjharpur constituency, driving inclusive development that addresses crucial rural needs. Through improving connectivity, education, health, and sanitation, Mandal has laid the foundation for sustained socio-economic progress. His journey from humble origins to becoming a trusted MP highlights the power of focused leadership in transforming lives at the grassroots level.
