Training on Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) for cluster level – September 21-22,2023 at BDDS Ballari

The Resource person briefed the participants on the historical background of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs)73rd Amendment to the Constitution. Democratic system of our country has provided significant responsibility to the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs). 73rd Amendment to the Constitution has resulted in the implementation of three tiers Panchayat Raj system, which is the grassroots of rural development. Panchayat Raj system is also known to be the foundation of Direct Democracy. Among the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) Gram Panchayaths (GPs) are the nearest local government to the people. These institutions should be vigorous and function efficiently for the effective implementation of programmes for development. The Central as well as State Governments has strong faith in the Gram Panchayaths (GPs), which has led to the delegation of additional powers, grants, programmes and responsibilities. It is a challenge in front of the Gram Panchayaths (GPs) to efficiently execute these responsibilities.

He told the participants that Panchayat Raj system existed in the state of Karnataka even before the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution. During the period from 1987 to 1992, Mandal Panchayat and Zilla Panchayat system existed in Karnataka, which became the footsteps for the decentralized governance. It is based on this that 73rd Amendment to the Constitution was brought in the entire country. Presently, Karnataka is in the forefront to match the objectives of decentralization of powers by transferring additional powers and programmes to the Gram Panchayaths (GPs). The very purpose of the training programme is to Empowering Civil Society for Effective Functioning & People Friendly Local Self Governance Good Governance at the Grass root level.

With a view to effective involvement of people in Vasathi/Ward/Grama Sabha and Social Audit, input and guidance were provided to the participants. They were also oriented on Women’s Grama sabha, their role and responsibilities in it. The resource person facilitated the participants to draw an action plan at the end of the programme/. The two days training programmes orgainised at BDDS – Ballary. Rev.Fr. Yagappa, Director BDDS, Ballary and Fr. O Vincent V.G. Ballari were present during the inaugural programme. They have motivated the participants. There were 40 participants attended from BDSSS, Belgavi, ORBIT,Bidar and BDDS, Ballari. Mr. Varghese G.M. Senior programme staff conducted the training programme

We have identified about 40 potential trainers from the 3 operating Dioceses for facilitating good governance. More and more people in our rural areas need to develop abilities to facilitate Panchayat Raj acts and procedures. Citizens in general and organised Civil Society groups in particular require initial support from competent facilitators, not only to provide them the needed inputs in the form of knowledge and skills .There is dearth of written materials on PRI in simple kannada for training facilitators in this regard. To overcome this problem a module for training on the subject of Good Governance. In the first stage, we have identified 40 members to deliver the responsibilities as Training of Trainers (TOTs).