Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj Inaugurates Refresher Training Program for State Nodal Officers and Program Managers under RGSA

In his keynote address, Shri Bharadwaj emphasized the need for participants to bring about positive change in rural areas through dedication and quality work.

Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, inaugurated a five-day refresher training program for State Nodal Officers (SNOs) and State Program Managers (SPMs) under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi.

In his keynote address, Shri Bharadwaj emphasized the need for participants to bring about positive change in rural areas through dedication and quality work. He urged participants to recognize their potential, understand the aspirations of the people, and strive for excellence. Highlighting the immense human potential and determination required for grassroots transformation, he advocated for a comprehensive approach that ensures quality and tangible outcomes.

“Panchayats do not lack resources and funds; significant investments are being made in Capacity Building and Training (CBT) initiatives. The real need is to see the positive outcomes of these efforts on the ground,” said Shri Bharadwaj. He illustrated how transformative practices, coupled with a positive mindset, can establish strong, self-sustaining institutions. He also stressed the importance of inaugurating projects funded by the Central Finance Commission to inspire other Panchayats.

Shri Bharadwaj highlighted the implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme and aligning property tax collection with Own Source Revenue (OSR) initiatives to increase Panchayat incomes. He encouraged participants to share their experiences and learning to inspire others.

The inaugural session saw the presence of Shri S. N. Tripathi, Director General, IIPA, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoPR, Shri Vikas Anand, Joint Secretary, MoPR, and Dr. V. N. Alok, Professor, IIPA. Over 50 SNOs and SPMs from 27 States/UTs are participating in the five-day residential refresher training program from July 1 to July 5, 2024.

Shri S. N. Tripathi commended the innovative initiatives of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in Capacity Building and Training (CBT). He highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in aligning village development works with global goals through the concept of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), thereby bringing a global perspective to local action. He praised the Ministry's initiative to provide training to Panchayat representatives at IIM Ahmedabad as innovative and pioneering.

Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar underlined the importance of such refresher courses as means of continuous dialogue and outreach by the Ministry. He mentioned the positive impacts of digital governance on service delivery, Panchayat Development Plans (PDP), and financial management through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

Shri Vikas Anand emphasized the significance of this first-of-its-kind refresher training aimed at enhancing capacity, skill development, leadership ability, and performance of participants. He stressed the need for coordinated efforts and continuous support to achieve the vision of an empowered, developed, and self-reliant rural India, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The five-day training program includes sessions on leadership skills, teamwork, conflict management, communication skills, media relations, community engagement, crisis communication, and practical training on various initiatives like e-GramSwaraj, PFMS, TMP, OSR, and more. It covers the preparation of Annual Action Plans, reporting of progress under RGSA, and the use of portals like Audit Online, Meri Panchayat, and Panchayat NIRNAY.

The program aims to enhance participants’ leadership capabilities through developmental and diagnostic approaches, identifying areas for improvement, and refining governance skills. Upon completion, participants are expected to:

Lead their teams to higher performance and effectiveness.

Gain a thorough understanding of contemporary leadership concepts in local governance.

Identify their own leadership qualities akin to those of great public servants.

Strategically align resources to foster a resilient and agile administration within their Panchayats.

Enhance their skill sets for more effective functioning.