State Level Consultative Workshop on “Empowerment of Panchayats”

A State Level Consultative Workshop with the Elected Representatives of 3 tier Panchayati Raj Institutions on “Empowerment of Panchayats” was organised jointly by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India and State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD), Panchayati Raj Department, Govt. of Odisha. on 02.12.2013 at, Bhubaneswar.

The aim of the workshop was to discuss ways in which the Panchayati Raj Institutions can be strengthened from the perspective of responsible, responsive, accountable, transparent, effective and efficient local governance system.

The main focus of the workshop was to find out the key issues such as Gram Sabha ,its quoram, participation of women and people from disadvantaged groups, special Gram Sabha etc, devolution of powers, PESA Act and Forest Right Act, Panchayati elections, SFC and pin-pointing on key deficiencies for preparation of a future course of action towards empowerment of Panchayats.

More than sixty Elected Representatives of PRIs ranging from ward members of Gram Panchayats to Presidents of Zilla Parishads from all over the state participated in the workshop.

The Particpants deleberated on the various issues pertaining to PRIs like – Gram Sabha, Palli Sabha, Role of PRI in Poverty Alleviation Programmes, Provision of need for Local Area Development Grant at PRI level, Role of PRIs in the implementation of various programmes, effective implementation of Forest Rights Act and PESA Act, provisioning of an ideal infrastructure at GP and PS level like rest place for visitors, toilet facilities, livelihood opportunities, plan for mainstreaming the gender in development, reducing Child Sex Ratio, their trafficking, social audit etc .