Namchi, 20th September(IPR): An orientation programme cum state level writeshop on revamped National Panchayat Awards was held at the conference hall of State Institute of Rural Development, Karfectar, today.
Organised by the Directorate of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with the State Institute of Rural Development under the Rural Development Department, the program had the presence of Principal Secretary(RDD) Mr CS Rao as the Chief Guest. He was accompanied by Special Secretary cum Director Panchayat Mr Basant K Lama and DC(Namchi) Mr M Bharani Kumar. The programme was participated by ADCs(Development) and other officials of the Rural Development, Social, Justice and Welfare, Agriculture and Horticulture departments from all districts.
It maybe mentioned that a video message of Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang on the revamped National Panchayat Awards was also released.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr C.S. Rao informed that under the restructured Panchayat awards will aid in establishing a multi-level competition to facilitate and incentivize the best performing panchayats at the Block, District, State and National levels in thematic areas related to localization and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in rural areas. For these awards, Sikkim will be competing for 69 award categories. Further, he mentioned that the Panchayati Awards Monitoring and Assessment Committee is being constituted comprising of 9 members involving all line departments. Mr Rao exhorted the officials to efficiently fill up online forms and diligently bring out a positive outcome. Moreover, he informed that Sikkim is one of the top-performing states in achieving the objectives of Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) under Panchayati Raj.
Director(Panchayat) cum State Nodal Officer Mr Basant K. Lama highlighted the purpose of the workshop, and also apprised the guidelines of the Revamped National Panchayat Award.
The workshop deliberated on 9 themes based on 17 goals of sustainable development of Panchayati Raj Institutions. These themes were Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihood Village, Healthy village, Child-Friendly Village, Water Sufficient Village, Clean and Green Village, Self-Sufficient Infractures in the Village, Socially Secured Village, Village with good Governance and Women-Friendly Village.
During the program, resource persons also gave a presentation on the format, procedures and categories of the National Panchayat Awards
