Odisha’s Model Gram Panchayats Inspire Uttarakhand’s Haridwar Zilla Panchayat Delegates

Bhubaneswar: Drawing inspiration from Odisha’s successful model gram panchayats, a 35-member delegation from Uttarakhand’s Haridwar Zilla Panchayat embarked on a comprehensive tour to glean insights into best practices. The visit, conducted under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan 2024-25, aimed at enabling elected panchayat representatives to assimilate and implement successful developmental models from different states.

In the course of the enlightening five-day exposure-cum-residential training program, the Uttarakhand delegation delved into various aspects, including activity mapping, thematic Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), water management, solid and liquid waste management, own revenue sources, and taxation systems.

Rajendra Singh, Zila Panchayat President, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, expressed the significance of the visit, stating, “This visit will help us in developing a better understanding of the people, panchayat infrastructure, and the development works being undertaken here. It will also contribute to the cultural exchange between the two states.”

The delegation’s itinerary included a visit to Raghurajpur Gram Panchayat, renowned for its cultural significance in the state. Here, they received insights into Raghurajpur’s traditional folk paintings and the establishment of a shopping complex that serves as a direct market for local artists.

Subsequently, the elected representatives explored Durgadaspur Gram Sabha, where they toured the technologically advanced panchayat building and library, guided by Vibhuti Bhuvan Nath, the village chief. Their visit to Dandav Mukundpur Gram Sabha included stops at the open gym center, market complex, and children’s park.

The Directorate of Panchayati Raj, Uttarakhand, has plans to organize similar training programs in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, fostering cross-state learning and collaboration in the realm of grassroots governance and development.