Port Blair, Dec. 05: A training programme for the newly elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) of Rangat and Mayabunder was held in the Zilla Parishad Auditorium, Rangat today. The programme was organized by the Directorate of Rural Development, PRIs and ULBs, in association with the National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) Hyderabad.
At the outset, the message of the Hon’ble Lt Governor, Lt. General AK Singh (Retd), for the newly elected representatives and functionaries of the PRIs, was communicated, in which, the Lt. Governor has asked them to understand their duties and responsibilities so as to serve the people in a better way.
The Lt. Governor has also reiterated the commitment of the A&N Administration towards strengthening PRI system in the Islands so that the expectations of the masses are fulfilled. He has asked the PRI members to maintain transparency and integrity in their work and prepare plans in a realistic, pragmatic and unbiased manner, keeping in view the resources available. The Lt Governor has also desired that the PRI members should work towards revenue generation to become self reliant.
In her address, the Adhyaksha ZP N&M, Smt. Prabhabati Biswas expressed her gratitude to the Administration and NIRD faculty for conducting the training at Rangat for the benefit and convenience of the newly elected members. She also appealed to all the members to make best use of the training and follow all guidelines and procedures while preparing plan and proposals for development activities, observing all formalities. Pramukhs, Panchayat Samiti Mayabunder, Smt. K. Nachiamma and Pramukh Panchayat Samiti, Rangat, Ms. Manjula Tirkey also graced the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the Secretary (Home/Civil Avitation/ RD/PRIs), Shri N K Sharma highlighted the importance of the training which aims at apprising the PRI members and functionaries about the various rules, regulations and procedures for planning, objectives of gram sabhas, financial matters and accounting. He also informed the members of the efforts made by the Administration in organizing the training and expressed gratitude to NIRD faculty for accepting the invitation immediately. He appealed to all the members and functionaries to acquaint themselves of the matters being discussed during the training programme, and to understand their duties and responsibilities as public representatives and work for the welfare of the people.
Delivering his presentation on ‘Decentralised Participatory Planning for Development of Local Government/PRIs through PowerPoint presentation, the Consultant, NIRD, Dr. Suryanarayana Reddy said that PRIs members represent direct democracy as all voters are participating in Gram Sabhas, that propose, discuss and finalise plans for the development of the respective Panchayats. It is compulsory that every voter of a particular Panchayat must attend Gram Sabha and proposes project to be undertaken and included in the plan, he said, highlighting the different steps, guidelines and procedures for plan proposal, preparation finalization and implementation at Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad and District level.
Dr T Phanindra Kumar, Asst. Professor, NIRD in his PowerPoint presentation on village Geographic Information System (GIS) highlighted the significance of having Panchayat Information System on every subject, issues, population, housing, land agriculture, animal husbandry and many other assets of the Panchayat, which will help provide proper inputs for planning, preparation and implementation of the respective panchayats.
Dr. Ajit Kumar, Associate Professor, resource person from NIRD, while making a PowerPoint presentation on ‘Strengthening Panchayat Raj Institution and Promoting Effective Rural Development’, apprised the members of the importance of Gram Panchayat Participatory Planning, GIS application, social audit and Right to Information to strengthen PRIs, as also the need to create own sources of revenue generation by Panchayats for self reliance and minimizing dependency on Govt. grant and assistance. This will enable the panchayats work independently and execute their development projects without delay, he said.
The training programme, which was attended by PRI members of the three tier system and its functionaries, concluded with the vote of thanks, proposed by Shri Kishori Lall, BDO Rangat, who is also the Executive Officer, Panchayat Samiti Rangat.
