Outreach Workshop on Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme held

An Outreach Workshop on the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme was organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Telangana, at the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Hyderabad . The workshop brought together senior officials, financial institutions, and more than 400 participants from Telangana, including a large number of Panchayat representatives, among whom 70 Sarpanches were distinguished performers in Own Source Revenue (OSR) generation in their respective Gram Panchayats.

Delivering the keynote address, Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, outlined the vision of Atmanirbhar Panchayats and their role in advancing the long-term national priorities of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. He emphasized the transformative power of grassroots governance and articulated that this vision can be realised through self-reliant, empowered Panchayats. He underlined that Panchayats are pivotal agents of national transformation, uniquely positioned to sensitize citizens and drive well-coordinated collective efforts towards building self-sufficient communities.

M. Dana Kishore, Special Chief Secretary, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, Government of Telangana, underlined that India’s journey towards self-reliance is deeply rooted in financially empowered Gram Panchayats.

Smt. Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Smt. D. Divya, Commissioner (PR), Telangana and Shri P. Subhas Reddy, Regional Chief, HUDCO Limited, Hyderabad, were also present on the occasion

Goverdhan Singh Rawat, Deputy Managing Director, NABARD, affirmed that the vision of Viksit Bharat already recognises rural communities as indispensable partners in national development, and commended the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for its consistent endeavours through Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies.(UPDATED ON 2ND MAY 2026)