NEED TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING RURAL AREAS, SAYS DC KOHIMA
Training on people’s plan campaign (PPC) on Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) with line departments was held in the DPDB hall, Kohima on September 28.
According to a DIPR report, deputy commissioner (DC) Kohima, Gregory Thejawelie while introducing the campaign stressed on the importance of planning and development process of Gram Panchayat.
He said that India was a land of villages and if the country was to develop, then the need to develop rural areas was a necessity which would mean development of Gram Panchayat.
DC said that on the other hand, there was poverty and a vast existence of social injustice.
In this regard, he stated that unless these areas were taken care as a whole, the country would lapse in development.
Gregory stated that the scenario for existence of a Panchayat was envisioned since the time of independence, to be involved in the preparation and implementation of all the economic activities and social justice.
He therefore, said that under article 243, the clause for Panchayat was inserted which defined the role and functions of a Panchayat.
He informed that the people’s plan campaign was to be launched from October 3-January 31, 2022 and the training was an effort to ensure inclusive implementation and preparation of a Panchayat plan focusing on the 29 subject.
Gregory stressed on the need for convergence programme to identify the gaps that existed and guide them to make them known.
He encouraged the participation of line departments for transparent and inclusive planning to achieve the real cause for further development and bring social changes.
While initiating the training, rural development officer, rural development, Vilopi Angami informed that Gram Panchayats have been mandated for preparation of GPDP for economic development and social justice.
Vilopi said that planning processes were to be comprehensive and based on participatory process involving full convergence with schemes of all related central ministries/line departments related to 29 subjects listed in the eleventh schedule of the constitution.
He stated that Panchayats had a significant role to play in effective and efficient implementation of flagship programmes on subjects of national importance for transformation of rural India. Meanwhile a slide show highlighting the objectives of PPC, roles and responsibilities, state departments, nodal officers, facilitator, frontline workers was also presented at the training session.