Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 25 November 2024
In a move to enhance rural governance and promote sustainable development, the Directorate of RD, PRIs & ULBs, A&N Administration, has been actively implementing the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) scheme across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This initiative, backed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, aims to strengthen the capacities of rural local governance institutions, ensuring they are more responsive to local development needs.
As part of this effort, a capacity building programme titled ‘Strategic Development and New Initiatives Towards a Self-Sufficient Village’ was recently organized by the Block Development Office (BDO) of C.D. Block Prothrapur at the Panchayat Samiti Office in Prothrapur. The programme brought together PRI members, Panchayat, and Block-level functionaries attached with Gram Panchayats, with a focus on equipping them with the necessary tools and knowledge for achieving Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) and advancing village development.
The BDO Prothrapur addressed the gathering, underscoring the importance of self-sufficiency in rural areas. He emphasized the role of thematic Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) in fostering sustainable development at the grassroots level.
Domain Expert in Rural Development, Ms. C. Vijiya, led a presentation on the key aspects of sustainable development for Gram Panchayats. She also shared a case study from Telangana, highlighting a self-sufficient village that has successfully implemented strategic development initiatives and rural governance innovations.
Ms. Mini Varghese, Assistant Engineer (PRIs), offered technical insights on selecting and prioritizing projects for Gram Panchayats. She discussed methodologies for execution, emphasising the importance of proper planning to ensure strategic development.
Additionally, Ms. Jyothi, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Sippighat, shared her on-ground experiences and stressed the need for collaborative efforts across all departments to drive sustainable Panchayat development in the region.
The capacity building programme aimed to inspire participants to align local governance with broader development goals, enhancing the self-sufficiency and sustainability of villages across the region.