Panchayati Raj Ministry organizes National Colloquium on Grassroots Governance on 24 April
24 April is National
Panchayati Raj Day
The Ministry
of Panchayati Raj is organizing a National Colloquium on “Governance at the
Grassroots after Three Decades of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment” on 24 April,
2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi in observance of National Panchayati Raj Day.
Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj and Secretary, Department
of Rural Development Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh will inaugurate the National
Colloquium in the presence of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar and other senior officials.
The National Colloquium on Grassroots
Governance aims to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders,
including officials from Central and State Governments, NIRD&PR, faculty
members from SIRD&PRs, academicians, subject matter experts,
representatives of UN Agencies, and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Key
topics of discussion will include the role of digital technology in
transforming public service delivery, initiatives of MoPR aimed at transforming
Panchayat Governance, and the convergence of digital governance initiatives of
various Ministries/ Departments.
This one-day Colloquium offers a
unique platform to assess achievements, identify challenges, and explore
opportunities for enhancing grassroots governance and public service delivery
through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Discussions will focus on the
evolution of principles of Good Governance in rural areas and pathways for
strengthening PRIs as vehicles for effective public service delivery.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s
ongoing efforts towards digital empowerment form the foundation of its mission
to realize the concept and vision of Smart Panchayats. Through robust
e-governance initiatives, the Ministry is committed to enhancing transparency,
efficiency, and people’s participation in grassroots governance. Training
programs are also underway to ensure the meaningful implementation of digital
strategies. The Ministry sensitizes and engages citizens in grassroots
governance through partnerships with States/ UTs.
As a third tier of government and
the primary interface between the union government and rural communities,
Panchayats play a crucial role in promoting Ease of Living and Ease of Doing
Business in rural India. The Ministry’s digital initiatives are instrumental in
promoting self-reliance, creating sustainable livelihoods, supporting inclusive
development and advancing Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs)
across Gram Panchayats nationwide.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj commemorates the 24th of
April every year as National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) with profound zeal and
fervour, marking the enactment of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992,
which came into force on 24 April,
1993. The National Colloquium on Grassroots Governance holds particular
significance as it coincides with three decades of the Constitution (73rd
Amendment) Act and two decades since the creation of the Ministry of Panchayati
Raj. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is dedicated to empowering grassroots
governance and accelerating progress on LSDGs across rural India through
innovative initiatives and digital interventions.