Patna: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh inaugurated the National Workshop on Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats at the Gyan Bhawan, Samrat Ashok Convention Centre in Patna today. Organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the Government of Bihar, the three-day workshop, running from September 10 to September 12, 2024, brings together policymakers, Panchayat representatives, and experts to discuss the role of Panchayats in fostering inclusive rural development.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Deputy Chief Ministers of Bihar Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Bihar’s Panchayati Raj and Rural Development ministers. The workshop aims to strengthen the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in delivering social justice and security at the grassroots level, aligned with India’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In his inaugural address, Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the government’s commitment to empowering Panchayats through resource allocation, capacity building, and digital interventions. He emphasized the importance of converging government schemes with a sense of service to achieve the vision of Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 places Panchayats at the core of this mission, as they are the foundation of India’s democracy.
Singh urged Panchayat representatives to focus on the holistic development of their villages, ensuring inclusivity and equitable growth. He also encouraged the widespread adoption of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, a mass movement aimed at linking environmental conservation with an emotional appeal. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure the success of this initiative at the Panchayat level,” he said.
Singh also praised the progress Bihar has made under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, especially in areas such as rural development, Panchayati Raj, environmental conservation, and women’s empowerment.
One of the key themes of the workshop is the active participation of women in Panchayati Raj institutions. Singh called on women representatives to assert their leadership and end the practice of ‘Sarpanch Pati’ or ‘Mukhiya Pati,’ where husbands act on behalf of their elected wives.
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel emphasized that achieving the SDGs by 2030 requires collective efforts at the grassroots level. He called for a National Conference of Panchayati Raj Ministers to address critical issues in the sector and urged Panchayat leaders to focus on improving education quality and addressing challenges related to groundwater depletion and climate change.
Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary spoke about Bihar’s vision of developing ‘Smart Villages’, equipped with digital infrastructure and modern facilities. He highlighted the state’s initiative of constructing Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans in all Gram Panchayats to streamline the delivery of services.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha praised Bihar’s Panchayati Raj Act, calling it one of the most logical and practical frameworks in the country, with clearly defined roles for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bharadwaj, lauded Bihar’s pioneering efforts in Panchayati Raj, particularly its Gram Kachahari system, and urged participants to implement innovative practices from other Panchayats in their regions.
The workshop also featured presentations on successful strategies and models by special invitees, chaired by Kuntal Sen Sharma, Chief Economic Adviser of the Ministry of Rural Development. Short films showcasing the best practices of National Award-winning Panchayats were screened, followed by group discussions. In the evening, participants enjoyed cultural presentations that highlighted Bihar’s rich heritage.
With over 900 participants from across the country, including elected Panchayat representatives, senior officials from Central and State Ministries, NGOs, and UN agencies, the workshop offers a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices, ensuring that Panchayats continue to serve as engines of rural development in India.
