Lok Sabha Question No. 1276 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Development of Panchayat in Rural Areas
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Dr. D. Purandeswari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1276

ANSWERED ON- 11.02.2025

## DEVELOPMENTOFPANCHAYATIN RURALAREAS

## 1276 # DR.D.PURANDESWARI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has organized a National Workshop on ' Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats' to promote inclusive development and social security in rural areas, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has introduced initiatives to empower Panchayats with resources, capacity building and digital tools as part of the workshop, to enable Panchayats to better implement Government Scheme and achieve social justice and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of specific steps taken by the Government to encourage Panchayat representatives in advancing the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign as a mass environmental movement at the village level;
- (d) whether the Government has provided details thereof regarding the outcomes of the workshop, including its impact on Panchayats role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (Prof. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a), (b), (d) and (e). Yes Sir. Ministry of Panchayati Raj has organized 3-Days National Thematic Workshop on Theme 7 of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals 'Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat' from 10-12 September 2024 at Patna, Bihar. Over 900 participants including Elected Representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions from 29 States/UTs have attended the National Thematic Workshop; wherein various sessions towards inclusive development and social security in rural areas were conducted during the workshop.

The workshop had been aimed at building capacity of the Elected Representatives of

Panchayats & stakeholders of Panchayati Raj Institutions on different aspects of Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat. The exemplary strategies undertaken including approaches adopted,convergent actions and innovative models in context of capacity building & training activities; best practices; implementation models; monitoring framework; and integration of theme 7 of Localized Sustainable Development Goals into Panchayat Development Plans (PDP) for ensuring social safety and social security were exhibited & showcased during the workshop for enhancing the knowledge & skills of the Panchayats. The Audio-visual contents on best practices and initiatives showcased during the workshop is available on Ministry's YouTube channel and other social media handles for wider dissemination and cross learning to enhance capacity for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals at grassroots level. Further, capacity building and training including thematic workshops are regular part of capacity building exercise which is undertaken by Ministry under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) scheme. Total 66,612 and 33,331 Elected Representatives & other stakeholders of PRIs were provided training in the FY 2023-24 and 2024-25 till 7 th February 2025 respectively under the theme 7 Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat by State/UT at various levels.

(c) Ministry has issued advisories to the State/UTs in ensuring effective participation of the Panchayats, and Panchayati Raj Institutions in plantation activities in collaboration with NGOs; CBOs; and other stakeholders and State Panchayati Raj Institutions to carry out plantations activities in their institutes to make the campaign successful. Review Meeting with the States/UTs through VC has also conducted to take the 'Ek Ped MaaKeNaam' campaign forward as a mass movement, highlighting the vision of the Hon'ble Prime Minister to connect environmental conservation. Total 5,42,08,660 trees have been planted in rural areas by State Departments of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, as per the information is available in MeriLiFE portal maintained by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

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