ITANAGAR: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called upon elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to play a decisive role in strengthening grassroots democracy by ensuring inclusive planning, effective implementation of development schemes and close coordination with the administrative machinery.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Minister was addressing the inauguration of an extended four-day State Level Interaction-cum-Orientation Programme for newly elected PRI representatives for the 2026–2030 term. The programme, organised by the Department of Panchayati Raj, brought together Zilla Parishad Chairpersons (ZPCs), Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) and Gram Panchayat Chairpersons (GPCs) from across the state.
Congratulating the newly elected PRI representatives on receiving the people’s mandate in the recent Panchayat elections, Khandu said the next five years present a rare opportunity to serve villages with vision, urgency and accountability. He urged the representatives to reflect democratic values and public aspirations in village-level development planning.
Explaining the structure of the orientation programme, the Chief Minister said the first two days involve joint training sessions for all ZPCs, ZPMs and GPCs, followed by two additional days of extended training specifically for ZPMs and GPCs. He said the technical sessions are designed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system by familiarising representatives with government schemes, administrative processes and the use of modern technology.
Highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s two-tier Panchayati Raj system, Khandu said the model was adopted to ensure clarity of roles and efficiency, keeping in view the state’s unique geographical and demographic conditions. He described Panchayati Raj institutions as the backbone of grassroots democracy and stressed that elected representatives carry a significant responsibility in shaping village development.
Sharing data on PRI representation, the Chief Minister said the state currently has 27 Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, 245 Zilla Parishad Members and 2,108 Gram Panchayat Chairpersons, along with more than 8,000 Gram Panchayat Members. He noted that due to space constraints, only about half of the GPCs were invited for the present programme, adding that district-wise and zonal-level training sessions would be organised in the future for wider coverage.
Khandu also informed that the government plans to undertake delimitation in the next Panchayat election cycle, following the upcoming census, to make Panchayati institutions more effective. He said the State Election Commission has already been empowered to carry out this exercise.
Referring to India’s broader development trajectory, the Chief Minister said the country has emerged as the fourth-largest economy globally and is poised to become the third-largest in the coming years. He said the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 can only be realised when villages are developed, underscoring the central role of Panchayats in rural transformation.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister highlighted flagship governance initiatives such as Seva Aapke Dwar and Cabinet Aapke Dwar, stating that these programmes have enabled direct delivery of services and benefits to over 15 lakh people, while also helping the government better understand grassroots challenges.
Reaffirming the autonomy of Panchayati Raj institutions, Khandu assured that there would be no interference by MLAs in Panchayat functioning. He said Panchayats are independent bodies empowered to discharge their responsibilities fully, adding that any complaints of interference have been taken seriously by the government.
The Chief Minister noted that Arunachal Pradesh is among the first states to allocate 10 per cent of its state-owned resources directly to the Panchayati Raj system over the past five years. He said this has led to increased grants for Panchayats as the state’s economy grows. He also highlighted the integration of digital platforms, e-governance tools, online audits, PFMS and gender inclusion frameworks to enhance transparency and efficiency.
Welcoming the replacement of MGNREGA with the Viksit Bharat Gramin Rozgar aur Aajeevika Guarantee Mission (VBGRAM), Khandu said the new scheme guarantees 125 days of employment and makes timely employment a constitutional right, with penalties for delays. He said the mission focuses on water security, rural infrastructure, livelihood enhancement and disaster mitigation, requiring need-based village planning.
Urging PRI representatives to adopt participatory planning, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to involve all households in village meetings and prioritise the upliftment of economically weaker sections. He also stressed convergence among departmental schemes to maximise development outcomes.
The Chief Minister said the government has constructed 1,182 Panchayat Bhawan-cum-Common Service Centres across the state and completed District Panchayat Resource Centres in five districts, with three more nearing completion. He highlighted the growing participation of women in Panchayati Raj, noting that women’s representation has reached nearly 48–50 per cent, well above the mandated reservation.
Emphasising the role of women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in strengthening the rural economy, Khandu said over 1.4 lakh women in the state are now engaged in SHG activities. He added that initiatives such as the annual Saras Mela have helped promote SHGs, and urged PRI representatives to integrate them into local development planning.
He also informed that the state government has signed an MoU with the Institute of Rural Management, Gujarat, to provide specialised training for Panchayati representatives and officials, with increased focus on platforms such as e-Gram Swaraj and Audit Online.
Calling for teamwork between Panchayats, district administrations and the state government, the Chief Minister said strong coordination would be essential to transform villages and position Arunachal Pradesh as a model of grassroots governance.
PRI Minister Ojing Tasing, Advisor Taniya Soki, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, PR Secretary Sonal Swaroop and other senior officials were present at the programme.
