National Workshop on Localizing SDGs & Empowering Panchayats begins in Srinagar

The workshop is focused on the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals in Gram Panchayats, through the adoption of specific thematic approaches. The primary aim of the workshop is to showcase optimal strategies, approaches, coordinated efforts, and creative models related to capacity enhancement and training. During the opening session of the National Workshop, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will unveil the ‘Meri Panchayat Mobile app’.

In a cooperative effort between the Ministry of Panchayat Raj (MoPR) and the Panchayati Raj & Rural Development Department, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, a National Workshop has been inaugurated today. The workshop’s emphasis will be on Theme 8: Panchayat with Good Governance, which is scheduled to take place from August 21st to August 23rd, 2023, in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.

The workshop is focused on the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals in Gram Panchayats, through the adoption of specific thematic approaches. The primary aim of the workshop is to showcase optimal strategies, approaches, coordinated efforts, and creative models related to capacity enhancement and training. This includes highlighting exemplary practices, establishing monitoring frameworks, providing incentives, and incentivization and reflection of themes of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

During the opening session of the National Workshop, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will unveil the ‘Meri Panchayat Mobile app’. It is an integrated m-governance platform, facilitating users with Transparency in all operations of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with just one click. Additionally, the operational guidelines of NCBF, service-level benchmarks, self-assessment tools, and a model contract will also be introduced.

The three-day Workshop will be virtually inaugurated today by Giriraj Singh, the Minister of Union Rural Development & Panchayati Raj and will be graced by Manoj Sinha, the Lt. Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, and Kapil Moreshwar Patil, the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj.

Elected officials and personnel from Panchayati Raj Institutions spanning the entire nation, including Jammu and Kashmir, will be present at the National Workshop. Panchayats that have shown proactive engagement in specific thematic domains have received invitations to actively partake in the Workshop.

Aim to implement SDGs and facilitate grassroots actions

The Ministry of Panchayat Raj has embraced a thematic approach to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to facilitate grassroots actions in pursuit of a global agenda. This strategy seeks to implement SDGs at the local level, particularly within rural regions, utilizing PRIs, notably Gram Panchayats. This involves consolidating the 17 SDG ‘goals’ into 9 ‘themes’ to effectively localize their implementation.

Good governance is intricately linked with effective service provision and advancement. The foundational framework of Good Governance, encapsulated by the 5T pillars—Teamwork, Technology, Timeline, Transparency, and Transformation—is vital. This framework emphasizes the critical role of Gram Panchayats in ensuring efficient, transparent, and prompt delivery of citizen services, ultimately serving the community’s needs.