Hoshiarpur:- To further enhance Punjab's rural development efforts, the State Institute of Rural Development, Mohali, organized a Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) program at BDPO Block-1, Hoshiarpur. Punjab Cabinet Minister Dr. Ravjot was the chief guest and addressed field staff from various departments. Sarpanches, Panchs, Asha workers, Anganwadi workers, self-help group members, and MNREGA staff from across the district enthusiastically participated in the program.
In her address, Dr. Ravjot stated that empowering Gram Panchayats is the foundation of rural development. She emphasized that when Panchayats are strong, villages progress on their own. She emphasized the need for transparency, community participation, and departmental coordination to ensure that the benefits of development work reach the grassroots.
He described the GPDP as "a key scheme shaping the direction of village transformation," which helps panchayats identify local needs, optimize resource utilization, and improve implementation of schemes.
Dr. Ravjot commended the contributions of ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, women from self-help groups, and panchayat representatives and assured that the training programs would be further strengthened.
The program was overseen by ADC (Development) Nikas Kumar, while Deputy CEO Dhara Kakkar served as the nodal officer for coordination and monitoring.
Earlier, District Coordinator Neha Sharma welcomed the chief guest and provided detailed information on the objectives and significance of the GPDP. DPM Mukesh Kumar shared key information on training modules, government schemes, and successful rural development practices.
Following this, resource persons Rajinder Kaur, Shobha Rani, and Sahil Kumar provided thematic information to the participants. During the interactive session, participants asked questions related to various schemes, which were answered in detail by the resource persons. The programme concluded with a pledge that Panchayat representatives and field staff will further accelerate inclusive and sustainable development in rural areas.