Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has advocated nine parameters to achieve the set localised sustainable development goals (LSDGs) based on the SDGs adopted by the United Nations for development of villages in the state.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a three-day training programme of trainers, commemorating the National Panchayati Raj day at DK Convention Centre here on Monday, CM Khandu said that the nine parameters as prescribed by the state’s department of Panchayati Raj, provide a perfect roadmap for the panchayats to plan and implement developmental projects for their respective segments.
The nine parameters include, clean and green village, water sufficient village, child-friendly village, healthy village, poverty free village, self-sufficient infrastructure village, socially secured and social just village, village with good governance and gender equality village.
“In accordance with the 17 SDGs adopted by the United Nations, of which 15 are relevant for Arunachal Pradesh, the state government has been preparing the state annual budgets to achieve these goals. Likewise, the PRIs now can plan to achieve these nine parameters prescribed in the LSDGs for wholesome development of villages,” the chief minister said.
Informing that Rs 123 crore was accorded to PRIs last year, of which 75 per cent is basic grant and 30 per cent performance grant, CM Khandu said this year’s budget the fund for panchayati raj has been increased to Rs 143 crore.
The state cabinet under CM Khandu had in September 2021 formally decided to devolve powers to PRIs in the state, which was pending for the last 53 years.
CM Khandu informed that the devolution of powers was based on SPICE (sustainable, participatory, inclusive, comprehensive and empowerment) formula devised by the panchayat department.
He further informed that 10 per cent of the state’s own resources, in addition to finance commission grants is being accorded to PRIs.
“In fact there is no dearth of funds with the state government. Things are not progressing well because the planning system is not perfect yet,” he said.
CM Khandu reiterated his suggestion for convergence of similar schemes and programmes involving different departments into one and executing them at the grassroots level.
“In the last few years we have created many important infrastructure in our towns and cities, especially in Itanagar. But I will be wrong as a chief minister if I claim that Arunachal Pradesh has developed. Only when our villages are sustainably developed, I can say that the state has developed,” he said.
For development of the villages, CM Khandu pointed out that the sole responsibility lies on the panchayati raj institutions.
The chief minister asserted that the state government with the support and guidance of the central government is committed to develop each village of the state. He cited the recent visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Kaho, the ‘first’ village on the Indian side of the LAC in Anjaw district, where he launched the Centre’s ambitious scheme of Vibrant Village Programme (VVP).
“All villages along the border, which is significant in number with Arunachal’s long international border, will be fully developed with all basic facilities. Similarly, we will develop all other villages by convergence of state and central government schemes and programmes,” he said.
The three-day training programme will educate 225 trainers including officers and PRI members from across the state on 27 subjects divided into eight sessions.
Experts have been invited as resource persons for the training programme.
Besides launching the booklet on LSDGs, CM Khandu visited the LSDG-model village set up at the venue that illustrates the nine parameters for wholesome development of a village in convergence mode.
He also interacted with self-help groups and discussed ways of boosting cooperation for further development of tribal art.
Have a story to share? Email us [email protected]