The Aryavarth Express
Agency ( Madhya Pradesh): Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, is set to inaugurate a two-day National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan (GPSDP) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, on February 22 and 23, 2024. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, collaborating with the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, organizes this Cross Learning-cum-Interactive National Workshop. Additional Chief Secretary of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Manu Srivastava, along with other key officials from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, will also attend.
The workshop will host a diverse group of participants from State Town and Country Planning Departments, prominent Planning and Architecture Institutes, Industry experts, Smart City Mission Leaders, State Level Bankers Committee, NABARD, and various government agencies. Representatives from 17 partner specialized agencies and institutions, as well as elected representatives and functionaries from 34 Gram Panchayats across 14 States, will join this national gathering. The workshop aims to facilitate robust exchanges of insights, strategies, and innovative approaches, enhancing collaborative efforts for the holistic development of Gram Panchayats nationwide.
Key activities of the workshop include presentations by Partner Planning and Architecture Colleges on 34 Gram Panchayats from 14 States. Discussions with the State Town and Country Planning Department will explore statutory provisions for rural area spatial planning and the department’s role in preparing and implementing GPSDPs.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj emphasizes the importance of a spatial approach to rural planning for all-around development. This initiative aligns with the Rural Area Development Plan Formulation and Implementation (RADPFI) Guidelines, 2021, introduced by the Ministry to guide the formulation and execution of GPSDPs, thereby promoting sustainable progress in rural areas.
The workshop will serve as an interactive platform for cross-learning among Panchayats and Government Agencies, focusing on the long-term planning needs for inclusive and sustainable development in rural areas. Topics will include infrastructure development, disaster management, waste management, and skill development. The workshop seeks to gather views on adopting spatial planning to enhance rural quality of life, using RADPFI Guidelines to achieve developmental goals, and enlisting support from various stakeholders for rural transformation. Through this collaborative effort, the National Workshop aims to catalyze positive change across Gram Panchayats throughout India.