Drive on to empower PRIs in Arunachal Pradesh, says Bamang Felix

A CORRESPONDENT

NEW DELHI: Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Bamang Felix on Monday informed that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the localization of Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) in Arunachal Pradesh has already entered its implementation phase and is being backed by the SDG-based State Annual Budget 2022-23.

Felix was speaking at the National Stakeholders Conference on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which commenced on Monday at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The week-long event is being organized by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj as 'Iconic Week' under the Central Government's Azadi Ka Amrut Mohatsav campaign. The event is being participated in by Panchayat Ministers of 12 States, along with their respective panchayat leaders and officials.

Addressing the gathering, Felix also informed that devolution of powers under SPICE model to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Arunachal Pradesh has also been delegated along with allocation of 10 per cent of the revenue from State-Owned Resources to the PRIs so that they identify and prepare budgets according to their needs and requirements.

Further, informing that many Central flagship schemes like PMAY-G are already being implemented in villages across Arunachal Pradesh but due to mobile connectivity issue the same could not be updated. The Minister, however, stated that the matter will be resolved soon as installation of 900 already sanctioned telecom towers will commence shortly.

Meanwhile, highlighting few challenges in implementation of Central flagship schemes, the State Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister sought consideration of the limited working seasons in Arunachal Pradesh for disbursement of Central funds against various Central flagship schemes.

Informing that Arunachal Pradesh has only four to five months of working season due to its climatic conditions, Felix said that disbursement of Central funds during off-seasons and uniform model of flagship programmes pose challenges in implementation of various schemes.

Taking the opportunity, the Minister also extended an invitation to the Union Ministry officials to visit Arunachal Pradesh to assess the ground reality of implementation exercises and its challenges, and also to advice on works being undertaken and challenges to be met in accordance to the short working months in a year.

Minister Felix was accompanied by Sangeet Dubey, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Arunachal Bhawan, New Delhi, panchayat leaders Chukhu Bablu, ZPC Papum Pare, Likha Sang Chhore, ZPC Lower Subansiri, Charu Menia, ZPC Kra Daadi, Nabam Rajesh, Deputy Director (RE), Panchayati Raj, SW Bagang, Assistant Director (SIRD & PR), and Sang Droma, OSD (RD & PR), Arunachal Bhawan, New Delhi.

Earlier, addressing the inaugural ceremony, Vice-President of India M Venkaiah Naidu emphasized on striving for a vibrant Panchayati Raj system with special focus on three 'Fs', viz., Fund, Functioning and Functionaries. He also called for active participation of people at grass-roots level for the success of any developmental initiatives.

Stating the India cannot develop without the development of rural India, the Vice-President of India called for giving special impetus to women empowerment, connectivity, transportation, electricity, clear drinking water, education and also entertainment at villages.

Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Giriraj Singh on his part highlighted the nine themes identified for Gram Panchayats, which include Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods Village, Healthy Village, Child Friendly Village, Water Sufficient Village, Clean and Green Village, Self-Sufficient Infrastructure in Village, Socially Secured Village, Village with Good Governance, and Engendered Development in Village.

He also called for ensuring transparency and accountability in functioning of panchayats and creation of a 'Master Plan' for panchayats with the help of technology for vibrant panchayats.

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