National Colloquium on Grassroots Governance to Mark Three Decades of 73rd Constitutional Amendment

New Delhi: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to host a National Colloquium on “Governance at the Grassroots after Three Decades of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment” on April 24th, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, in commemoration of National Panchayati Raj Day. The event aims to reflect on the progress and challenges faced in decentralized governance over the past thirty years since the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.

The National Colloquium will be inaugurated by Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bharadwaj, and Secretary of the Department of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar Singh, alongside other senior officials including Additional Secretary Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar.

Bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders including officials from Central and State Governments, representatives from the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), faculty members from State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), academicians, subject matter experts, and representatives of UN Agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Colloquium seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration on various aspects of grassroots governance.

Key topics of discussion include the role of digital technology in transforming public service delivery, initiatives aimed at enhancing Panchayat Governance, and the convergence of digital governance initiatives across Ministries and Departments.

The Ministry’s ongoing efforts towards digital empowerment form the cornerstone of its mission to establish Smart Panchayats. Through robust e-governance initiatives, the Ministry aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and citizen participation in grassroots governance. Furthermore, training programs are being conducted to ensure the effective implementation of digital strategies.

As the primary interface between the union government and rural communities, Panchayats play a pivotal role in promoting Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business in rural India. The Ministry’s digital initiatives are instrumental in fostering self-reliance, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive development across Gram Panchayats nationwide.