Agra: The Panchayat Sammelan on “Ease of Living: Enhancing Service Delivery at Grassroots” was inaugurated by Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, in Agra on November 19, 2024. The event, which marks the second in a series of four Panchayat Sammelans, brought together a distinguished group of dignitaries including Om Prakash Rajbhar, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, among others. The Sammelan saw participation from over 400 delegates from seven states, representing a diverse geographical spectrum across India.
Prof. Baghel, speaking at the inaugural session, emphasized the transformative potential of Panchayats in rural governance. “Our Panchayats are not just administrative units but catalysts of change. Through digital empowerment and innovative service delivery, we are reimagining rural development as a collaborative, inclusive journey,” he stated. He further urged Panchayats to use the e-Gram Swaraj portal and the Meri Panchayat app for disseminating weather forecasts to citizens and enhancing local service delivery.
The Minister also addressed concerns related to rural migration, noting that improved service delivery at the grassroots level could stem the flow of people leaving villages. “Smart villages will enhance people’s living standards,” Prof. Baghel asserted. He encouraged Panchayats to generate Own Source Revenue (OSR) and implement multi-purpose community halls to improve facilities and boost Panchayat income.
On the occasion of World Toilet Day, Prof. Baghel highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision through the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, which prioritizes women’s dignity and health in governance. He urged Panchayat representatives to ensure that information regarding government schemes, particularly the healthcare facilities under Ayushman Bharat for seniors, reaches every citizen.
Om Prakash Rajbhar, in his address, spoke about Uttar Pradesh’s commitment to rural empowerment, stating, “Uttar Pradesh is committed to creating a model of governance where every Panchayat becomes a hub of efficient, transparent, and responsive services.” He also announced the launch of the “Shauchalay Sanwaren, Jeevan Niharen” (Improve Toilets, Enhance Life) campaign, running from November 19 to December 10, 2024.
Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, highlighted the importance of technological integration in improving service delivery. He noted, “Digital transformation is not just about technology, but about bridging the gap between governance and citizens. Our goal is to ensure that every rural resident experiences the ease of living through accessible, efficient services.” He praised Uttar Pradesh for its success in decentralization and the effective implementation of the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
The Sammelan also recognized five outstanding Panchayat Sahayaks (Panchayat Assistants) for their exemplary work in service delivery at the grassroots level. The recipients included Anamika Gautam from Jaunpur, Dharmendra Kumar from Azamgarh, Ritu Chaudhary from Gorakhpur, Komal Mishra from Hardoi, and Mehfooz Alam from Barabanki.
A notable feature of the Sammelan was its linguistic inclusivity, with proceedings live-streamed in eleven languages using the AI-powered Bhashini platform. This ensured wider accessibility and communication across diverse linguistic groups.
The event also coincided with World Toilet Day 2024, with the theme “Toilets – A Place for Peace” resonating with the Sammelan’s focus on sanitation challenges in rural India. Discussions centered on the critical role of Panchayats in improving infrastructure and service delivery, with technological innovations taking the spotlight. Presentations from the National Informatics Centre (NIC), Wadhwani Foundation, and UNICEF introduced digital solutions like the ServicePlus platform and RapidPro to further enhance service delivery.
The Panchayat Sammelan reaffirmed the collective commitment to digital empowerment, infrastructural development, and the transformation of Panchayats into responsive, efficient, and transparent service hubs. With actionable strategies, knowledge exchange, and best practices shared throughout the event, the Sammelan laid a strong foundation for a future where every Panchayat can drive rural development and contribute to the nation’s progress.