Tawang, Oct 14: A District-Level Orientation Programme on the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and XVI Finance Commission Grants for newly elected Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members of Tawang district was organised today at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Tawang, under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).

The programme was chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Tawang, Namgyal Angmo, IAS, and attended by Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Leki Gombu, all six Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs), and PRI members from across the district.

The programme was organised by the State Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PR), in collaboration with the District Panchayati Raj Department, Tawang, with the objective of strengthening the capacity of elected representatives in grassroots governance, participatory planning, financial management, and the effective utilisation of Finance Commission grants for rural development.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by ADC-cum-District Panchayati Raj Development Officer (DPDO), Tawang, Rinchin Leta, followed by the inaugural address by Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo.

Addressing the participants, the Deputy Commissioner stated that although the training programme had been planned earlier, it could not be conducted due to various reasons. However, she emphasised that there was still sufficient time for the newly elected PRI members to work towards the welfare and development of the people.

Highlighting the significance of the one-day orientation programme, she observed that the training would help PRI members better understand and discharge their roles and responsibilities. While acknowledging that several members had prior experience and a sound understanding of their duties, she described the programme as a valuable refresher course that would also provide an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, clarify doubts, and exchange ideas with the resource person.

She further emphasised that strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions was a collective responsibility and that the programme would also benefit the concerned government officials by providing them an opportunity to learn from the resource person and gain fresh perspectives on rural governance. The Deputy Commissioner expressed her gratitude to Course Director Dr. Mihin Lali for travelling from Itanagar to conduct the training and appreciated SIRD&PR for organising the programme in Tawang. She urged all participants to remain attentive, actively engage in the sessions, and seek clarification on any issues requiring further understanding.

Resource Person and Course Director Dr. Mihin Lali conducted the training sessions, focusing on key aspects of Gram Panchayat Development Plan preparation and the effective implementation of rural development initiatives.

The orientation programme is aimed at equipping PRI members with the knowledge and practical skills required to identify local needs, prioritise development activities, prepare effective village development plans, and ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds. It also seeks to promote participatory decision-making and inclusive, sustainable development across rural communities in Tawang district.

The programme reaffirmed the importance of capacity building and coordination between elected representatives and government officials in strengthening grassroots democracy and ensuring that development initiatives effectively address the needs and aspirations of rural communities. (DIPRO)