Empowered Voices: Rural Sikkim’s Massive Gram Sabha Shapes Inspiring Local Development
A large-scale Gram Sabha in Sikkim, involving 23 Gram Panchayat Units (GPUs) across three blocks—Soreng, Daramdin, and Chakung Chumbong—gathered over 2,500 participants to discuss and strategize on local development. Held on October 2, this significant event in participatory governance focused on assessing the current Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and outlining the 2024-25 plan.
The event was organized under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s directive, aiming to empower residents in community planning. Participants actively engaged in identifying key projects and allocating resources for the upcoming year. A 19-member team from the Piramal Foundation, arriving from Assam, facilitated the discussions, ensuring every GPU had specific support to address their unique challenges and aspirations.
A diverse array of community stakeholders joined the dialogue, including 104 representatives from NGOs and local Samajs, as well as 282 members of Self-Help Groups. This wide representation enabled a comprehensive examination of local issues and priorities.
As part of the event, participants planted 1,323 saplings across the three blocks under the “1 Ped Maa K Naam” program, showcasing their commitment to environmental sustainability.
The Mega Gram Sabha’s success was a collaborative endeavor involving the District Administration Centre, the Additional District Collector (Development), the Piramal Foundation, and the State Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj. Notable coordinators included Dev Nepal and Natiza Karki from the Piramal Foundation, along with Gandhi Fellows Kartik Jha and Anil Kumar.
This large-scale engagement not only highlighted the region’s dedication to participatory governance but also set a precedent for future community-driven development initiatives.
Original Story https://www.indiatodayne.in/sikkim/story/rural-sikkim-holds-massive-gram-sabha-to-shape-local-development-1101161-2024-10-02?utm_source=rssfeed
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