Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Ojing Tasing has called for strengthening grassroots governance and empowering rural institutions to ensure effective implementation of government welfare programmes across the state.
Addressing an orientation programme for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development functionaries in East Siang district on Tuesday, the minister said the state government was conducting similar orientation programmes at different locations to ensure wider participation and improve the delivery of rural development initiatives.
Tasing urged participants to share the knowledge and skills gained during the programme with village-level representatives so that the benefits of government schemes reach every eligible citizen. He said effective governance depends on well-informed grassroots institutions capable of addressing local challenges and implementing development programmes efficiently.
Highlighting the significance of the 16th Finance Commission, the minister said practical understanding and problem-solving at the grassroots level are essential for the successful execution of government schemes. He urged officers and elected public representatives to work as facilitators for rural development and appealed to citizens to actively contribute towards the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
The minister also asked officials to focus on empowering rural communities through the effective implementation of flagship schemes, including the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), SPR, VB-G RAM G and other programmes aimed at creating livelihood opportunities for unemployed youth and improving the quality of life in villages.
Adviser to the minister, Taniya Soki, said capacity-building initiatives play an important role in strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and improving rural governance. He stressed the need to equip elected representatives with the necessary knowledge and skills, promote digital literacy among grassroots leaders, and encourage greater coordination and mutual respect between government officials and elected representatives.
Earlier, East Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko encouraged participants to make full use of the orientation programme by actively taking part in the technical sessions. She said a better understanding of rural development schemes, financial grants and Panchayati Raj matters would help local representatives serve their communities more effectively.
The orientation programme included technical sessions conducted by resource persons on topics such as the Schedule of Rates (SOR), Outcome-Based Service Rating (OSR), the 15th Finance Commission, convergence of government schemes, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), VB-G RAM G, SECURE and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The sessions focused on improving the capacity of officials and elected representatives to implement development programmes efficiently and strengthen grassroots governance across the state.
