Successful Conclusion of Two-Day National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan today at Bhopal
The two-day Cross Learning Interactive National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan concluded successfully today at Bhopal, marking a significant milestone in advancing spatial planning initiatives at the grassroots level. The National Workshop, organized by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in collaboration with School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, witnessed active participation from Gram Panchayats, Planning Institutes and government officials from various States across the country. The workshop was addressed and moderated by senior officers including Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Vivek Bharadwaj; Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Malay Shrivastava; Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Alok Prem Nagar and Director, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal Prof. Kailasa Rao M.
Addressing the GPSDP Workshop at Bhopal today Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar underlined the Government’s commitment to a spatial approach for rural transformation, advocating for collaboration, commitment as well as the convergence of schemes and resources to achieve the identified goals. Dr. Kumar delivered a comprehensive overview highlighting the imperative aspects of rural habitat redevelopment. His insights covered the necessity for master planning, effective funding strategies and mobilization efforts. He also urged Gram Panchayats to adopt a collaborative and result-oriented approach in their endeavours, emphasizing the importance of collective action for sustainable rural development.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Alok Prem Nagar set the tone for second day of National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan with a motivational appeal towards realizing the shared vision of spatial and sustainable development at the grassroots level. He called upon Gram Panchayats and other stakeholders to strategize meticulously and commit wholeheartedly to achieve tangible results through collective and concerted efforts.
The second day of the National Workshop proved to be another enriching and productive day as the participants delved deeper into discussions and collaborative initiatives aimed at advancing spatial development in Gram Panchayats. The workshop emphasized action and moving forward firmly towards the implementation of Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plans. The keynote address by Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj provided a clear vision, roadmap and strategy to effect positive changes on the ground, initiating groundbreaking steps for plan execution.
The two-day National Workshop witnessed engaging discussions with Town & Country Planning Departments of various States to explore synergies and collaborative opportunities; deliberations focused on strategies to increase Own Source Revenue (OSR) for Gram Panchayats through land and asset monetization as integral components of spatial planning. A clear roadmap with requirement of a definite timeline and innovative strategy was discussed in detail to ensure the effective implementation of spatial planning in Gram Panchayats.
The workshop concluded with a clear roadmap and actionable strategies, considering all suggestions. States and Union Territories committed to advancing the Ministry’s vision and translating spatial planning into reality. The National Workshop on Gram Panchayat Spatial Development Plan proved highly successful in meeting its objectives, providing significant takeaways and learning opportunities for Gram Panchayats and State-level institutes. Participants resolved to take necessary actions in identified areas of master planning and spatial planning, contributing to the long-term development needs of India’s villages / rural landscapes.