Today, I met Prof SP Singh Baghel, Minister of State in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Minister of State in the Department Of Panchayati Raj. He is the Member of Parliament from Agra Uttar Pradesh, my state.
I had the honour of presenting him my book, "Sashakt Panchayat: Samriddha Bharat Ki Sankalpana." I explained Empower Panchayat initiative as quick as I could be!
How development can stem from the panchayat is they start working as an institution. The Gram Sabha and Standing Committee are the institutions. The major issue is that, in 32 years, Panchayats haven't received the power over the 29 subjects granted by the Constitution.
The reason why the power has not been devolved is because of the lack of competence and capabilities to work as an institution.
For instance, if an education model is about to take off, its budgetary estimation, or if a renewable energy plan is about to initiate, its engineering design, or if an economic activity like a food processing unit is about to be established, whatever its requisites are, has to be drawn from these 29 subjects.
Empower Panchayat is an initiative that aims to build competence and capabilities in rural India in partnership with major institutions like IITs and IIMs and other entrepreneurship organizations.
If we talk about the Panchayati Raj, we can divide the 29 subjects into four parts. First, the earning opportunities we have discussed above. Secondly, the access to basic amenities. Third, foundational infrastructure that is required for both the earning opportunities and the basic amenities.
Fourth, social protection is also essential to ensure that a section that includes the handicapped, widows, elderly, and other poor and vulnerable cohorts is not left behind and everyone collaborates to realize the idea of “Sabka Sath, Sabka Prayas, Sabka Vikas”.
I am glad that Shri SP Singh Baghel Ji appreciated the ideas, and I am hopeful for future collaboration to work towards inclusive rural development with Empower Panchayat.
Empower Panchayat - Let's Empower the Local Government Prof SP Singh Baghel #EmpowerPanchayat
CHRO @ Hexagon Nutrition | Ex Hero Motocorp, TATA, Mahindra and Mahindra l NMIMS and XLRI
2wFantastic initiative and all the best for all future endeavours