JAMMU, DECEMBER 24: Director Panchayati Raj, Sham Lal on Wednesday said that Panchayat Secretaries are the face of the government in rural areas, entrusted with the crucial responsibility of creating awareness about the government initiatives and ensuring their proper and timely implementation at the grassroots level.
He was speaking on the concluding day of the training and exposure visit programme organised by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj for Panchayat Secretaries.
As part of this capacity-building initiative, the participants underwent 28-day training at Jammu. The training was followed by a seven-day exposure visit to Himachal Pradesh and selected Panchayats across Jammu and Kashmir to observe best practices in governance and service delivery. They also interacted with local staff to gain first-hand experience of effective Panchayat functioning and implementation of development initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, the Director urged the Panchayat Secretaries to apply the learning gained during the training and exposure visit in their respective Panchayats and play a proactive role in the effective implementation of government schemes and programmes.
He emphasized that the department is closely connected with a large segment of the population and people have high expectations from it.
The Director noted that Panchayat Secretaries may face various challenges in the discharge of their duties; however, such training programmes equip them with the skills and confidence required to address these challenges effectively.
He further highlighted that the government is creating valuable assets across different sectors, and ensuring their proper utilisation and maintenance through community participation is a key responsibility of Panchayat Secretaries.
Stressing the importance of digital governance, the Director said that planning and execution are now aligned with modern systems, making it essential for Panchayat Secretaries to efficiently operate designated portals and mobile applications.
He underlined the need to ensure that all data uploaded on these platforms is accurate and authentic.
He also called upon the participants to develop a thorough understanding of the Panchayati Raj Act, terming it a vital document that governs Panchayat functioning including Gram Sabhas, Panchayat powers and preparation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
Additionally, he emphasized awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that Panchayat-level development initiatives are increasingly being aligned with these goals.
Expressing optimism, the Director said he hoped that the Panchayat Secretaries had gained valuable insights and practical knowledge during the training and exposure visit, which would significantly contribute to their professional growth and strengthen grassroots governance in the Union Territory.
At the conclusion of the programme, Director Panchayati Raj distributed certificates among the participants.
