Empowered Panchayats will be foundation of developed India: Prof SP Singh Baghel
Prof Baghel inaugurates National Workshop on People’s Plan Campaign 2024 –
Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas Abhiyan today
Ministry of Panchayati Raj is partnering with several organisations to advance
and intensify action on Special Gram Sabhas, Panchayat Development Plans and to
make ‘Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas’ initiative a grand success through a
collaborative, innovative and participatory approach
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof SP Singh Baghel inaugurated
National Workshop on the People's Plan Campaign 2024 – Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas
at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj
organized a National Workshop on the People's Plan Campaign 2024 – Sabki Yojana
Sabka Vikas, which set the stage for the nationwide launch of the campaign on 2 October
2024. A video message from Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan
Singh alias Lalan Singh was screened at inaugural session, emphasizing the need
for wholehearted support and active engagement from Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs) and stakeholders in the participatory process of Panchayat Development
Plans, an annual initiative focused on the holistic development of Panchayats
and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, embodying the true spirit
of ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’.
Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bharadwaj, Shailesh Kumar
Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Dr Subodh Agarwal, Director
General, Indira Gandhi Institute of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development,
Government of Rajasthan, Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Additional Secretary &
Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, Department of Drinking Water &
Sanitation, Narendra Bhooshan, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of
Panchayati Raj, Government of Uttar Pradesh graced the occasion.
MoS Prof SP Singh Baghel described the ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’
campaign as a plan by the people, for the people, and of the people. Prof.
Baghel urged Panchayat representatives to formulate Gram Panchayat Development
Plans with a holistic approach, keeping the entire village in mind. He
mentioned that in the past decade, unprecedented work has been done in the
field of rural development. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi, there has been a significant increase in the grants provided by the
Central Finance Commission and Panchayats should make proper use of these funds
in their development plans.
Prof Baghel stated the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has localized the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating them into nine key focus
areas. If each panchayat systematically incorporates activities related to
these nine areas into its Gram Panchayat Development Plan, it has potential to
realize the vision and concept of Gram Swaraj.
Baghel stated that empowered Panchayats will form the foundation of a
developed India, and thus, we must focus on developing panchayats as capable,
efficient and better service providers. Expressing concern over the declining
groundwater levels in rural areas, he urged Panchayats to work towards water
conservation. He also emphasised the importance of rainwater harvesting.
During the inaugural session, the Booklet on People's Plan Campaign
(2024–25) for Preparation of Panchayat Development Plans for Financial Year
(2025–26), and the Annual Action Plan 2024–25 Report of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
Abhiyan (RGSA) were unveiled. MoS Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel launched the Hindi
Website of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, enhancing accessibility for
Hindi-speaking users.
Vivek Bharadwaj stated that the role of Panchayats in village
development is like a force multiplier. All government schemes can be
accelerated through the Panchayats. He mentioned that for the last 8 – 10
years, through the efforts of the Central Government, State Governments and
Panchayats, the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) is being prepared in a
planned manner. The aim is to make rural areas self-reliant as well. Emphasizing
the proper implementation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan at the
grassroots level, he also stressed the importance of greater participation in
Gram Sabha meetings. He urged Panchayat officials to make the Gram Panchayat
Development Plan more people-centric and participatory. He suggested that the
proper use of resources, keeping in mind local needs, should be incorporated
into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan.
Bharadwaj drew a connection between Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram
Swaraj and the current efforts to empower Gram Panchayats towards achieving
self-reliance. He called for more focus on meaningful convergence and improving
the effectiveness of the planning process. He appreciated the unprecedented
collaboration between the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), coordinated by IIT Delhi
and the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2024–25. This year, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan
will play a pivotal role by involving over 20,000 students in the Sabki Yojana
Sabka Vikas Abhiyan.
Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasised a transformative shift in the approach
to rural planning during the workshop. He highlighted the transition from the
Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP) to the Village Prosperity and Resilience
Plan (VPRP), reflecting a positive change in perception. This shift represents
a move towards a community demand-driven plan, which plays a crucial role in
strengthening the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). The VPRP is prepared
by the Self Help Group (SHG) network and its federations, ensuring that local
communities directly contribute to the planning process. The plan is formally
presented during Gram Sabha meetings, which are held from October to December
each year, fostering a bottom-up, participatory approach to development that is
inclusive and resilient.
Chandra Bhushan Kumar commended the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC)
Workshop, calling it timely and well-aligned with the upcoming Swachh Bharat
Diwas on Gandhi Jayanti and the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva. He underlined the
essential role of Panchayats in maintaining infrastructure related to Swachh
Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission. He highlighted the remarkable progress
in rural water supply, noting that in 2019, only 17% of rural households had
access to piped water. By 2024, this figure has risen to 78%, with over 15
crore rural households now receiving piped water.
Vikas Anand, Joint Secretary, Ministry of
Panchayati Raj said that for the first time, village-wise
planning provisions are being implemented in PESA Panchayats starting this
year. Moreover, the Ministry is launching PPC Booklets in various languages to
facilitate better understanding and implementation across diverse linguistic
regions.
The workshop was broadcast live in eight regional languages – Gujarati,
Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Malayalam, Kannada, and English – using
AI-powered tools developed under Bhashini, showcasing an innovative and
inclusive communication strategy.
The workshop saw participation from approximately 400 delegates,
representing a diverse cross-section of stakeholders. Participants included
officials from Union Ministries/ Departments, States/UTs, State Panchayati Raj
Departments, National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj
(NIRD&PR), State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj,
District and Block-level officials, and elected representatives of three tiers
of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The primary focus of the workshop was to orient
participants on strategies, approaches, and roadmaps for preparing and
uploading Panchayat Development Plans.
A short film on AI/ML-based evidence-based planning was screened during
the workshop. The integration of AI/ML technologies, particularly through
SVAMITVA Scheme maps, is providing valuable insights into various rural
infrastructure components, such as house types, road conditions, water bodies,
and solar potential. MoPR has identified the rooftop solar potential of over
25,000 villages, which will help facilitate the installation of solar panels
under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, promoting green energy in rural
areas.
This workshop has set a robust foundation for the upcoming planning
cycle under the People’s Plan Campaign 2024–25, reflecting the collective
resolve for inclusive and evidence-based planning for the nation’s development
at the Panchayat level. States/UTs in their Group Presentations outlined
their experiences, strategies, problems, challenges and opportunities in
preparation of quality GPDPs.
The workshop successfully laid the groundwork for the People’s Plan
Campaign 2024-25, stessing participatory planning, convergence of resources,
and the integration of advanced technologies in rural development. This year’s
edition of People’s Plan Campaign will further strengthen the planning
processes at the grassroots level, ensuring that the needs and aspirations of
communities are addressed effectively.