Ramban, July 20 : The Departments of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDPR) today organized a one-day district-level workshop on the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and MGNREGA Convergence. The event, spearheaded by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC), Ramban Roshan Lal, was held in the Conference Hall, Administrative Complex, Maitra.
The workshop saw vibrant discussions, with Additional District Development Commissioner Roshan Lal, presiding over the interaction session. Thorough deliberations were held on the formulation and implementation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), aiming to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets set by the United Nations.
The GPDP is significant as it provides a structured framework for rural development and addresses challenges of poverty in the society, ensuring that the specific needs of each Panchayat are addressed. By involving local stakeholders in the planning process, GPDP fosters community participation, accountability, and transparency, leading to more sustainable and inclusive development.
The ADDC emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving the SDGs and encouraged all participants to actively contribute to the development plans of their respective departments and blocks. Participants included representatives from various departments including Officers and officials, and other stakeholders were provided a platform for sharing insights and strategies to enhance rural development and ensure effective implementation of GPDP in convergence with MGNREGA in the district. He stressed on conduct of effective Gram Sabhas, Bal Sabhas and Mahila Sabhas besides ensuring participation of the general public. He also directed all the departments to ensure their participation at Gram Sabhas.
ACD, Srinath Suman highlighted the critical need for convergence between Panchayat Development Plans and MGNREGA to foster holistic development and achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural areas.
Various officers, including ACR, Harpal Singh; CPO, Shakib Ahmed; ACP Ashfaq Khanji; CMO, Kamal Ji Zadu; BDO Headquarter Shalini Chandail, and various other delivered a presentation on the convergent plan under MGNREGA presenting their insights through PowerPoint presentations on GPDP, Convergence, MGNREGA, and other topics. The main focus was on the formulation and implementation of the Convergence Plan to achieve the targets by completing development works in different sectors. Departments were asked to work in close coordination with 22 other departments to achieve the goals outlined under GPDP in the district.
This collaborative approach is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of development initiatives, ensuring that the benefits reach the grassroots level.
Earlier, Thematic Expert, Department of Panchayati Raj, J&K Nida Rafiq, provided an overview of the process for preparing thematic area-wise GPDPs. She elaborated on the issues, challenges, and strategies in preparing convergent GPDPs in the Union Territory (UT), along with the expectations from the line departments to facilitate the formation of integrated GPDPs. The event concluded with a commitment to work towards the holistic development of rural areas in Ramban.