Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh  alias Lalan Singh will preside over the inaugural function of three-day National Workshop on Theme of Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats on 10th September, 2024 at Gyan Bhawan, Samrat Ashok Convention Centre, Patna, Bihar. Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar will inaugurate the three-day National Workshop on Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats on 10th September 2024. Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Deputy Chief Ministers, Government of Bihar Shri Samrat Chaudhary and Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Government of Bihar Shri Kedar Prasad Gupta, Minister of Rural Development, Government of Bihar Shri Shravan Kumar, Minister of Social Welfare, Government of Bihar Shri Madan Sahni, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Shri Vivek Bharadwaj and Chief Secretary, Government of Bihar, Shri Amrit Lal Meena will also be present in the occasion.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Bihar is organising this National Workshop at Patna during 10^th – 12^th September 2024. This is a part of Ministry’s initiative to Localize the Sustainable Development Goals through Panchayats by aggregating 17 SDGs into 9 themes of localized SDGs which are more relatable at the grassroots. Workshop is based on “Theme 7: Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats” which is one of these 9 themes of localized SDGs. This theme of LSDG focuses on the holistic development of a village, with an emphasis on mental, physical and economic well-being of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and marginalized sections of the society.

The Workshop will bring together various stakeholders who are working for transforming society into a more inclusive, equitable and just and with social security mechanisms to take care of people who are in need. Workshop will be attended by over 800 participants across the country, which includes the elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, senior officers from Union Ministries/ Department and State Governments, NIRD&PR, SIRD&PRs, Panchayati Raj Training Institutes, NGOs, UN Agencies. Panchayats with exemplary practices on Theme 7: Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats have also been invited in this Three-day National Workshop to share their experiences and best practices in various aspects of ensuring social security and equity at the grassroots through video film presentation. UN Agencies and NGOs doing excellent work for ensuring mental, physical and economic well-being of the disadvantaged groups through different innovative models will also share their experiences. This workshop will not only provide national platform to the ERs to present their works but also serve as a cross learning opportunity to other participants and add to capacity building and training of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Gram Panchayats are constitutionally mandated to prepare plans and implement schemes for the well-being of vulnerable & marginalized groups like SCs. STs, Person with Disabilities (PwD), elderly, women, children, distress migrants, transgender etc. Topics like Role of Gram Panchayat in improving access to the basic services under Public Distribution System (PDS) for food security, reducing child and women malnutrition and mortality, improving the physical health facilities for elderly, improving education support for children, preventing violence against women and children, improving the avenues of the rural livelihood, improving services for Person with Disability (PwD), access to the housing & other basic services, accessibility of social security schemes to all eligible including pension and inclusion & promotion of services to the special category including transgender will be discussed during the workshop.

Background

Sustainable Development Goals adopted by United Nations came into effect from January 1^st, 2016. Ministry of Panchayat Raj has adopted thematic approach to SDGs – It is an initiative to ensure ‘local action’ for achieving ‘global plan’. The approach aims to localize SDGs in rural areas through PRIs, especially Gram Panchayats by aggregating 17 ‘Goals’ into ‘9 Themes’. Appropriate policy decisions and revisions have been followed resulting into revamping of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) and Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). Under Revamped RGSA Scheme, Elected Representatives & Functionaries of Panchayats and other stakeholders have been capacitated to deliver on localization of SDGs principally on nine themes, converging in the Panchayat Development Plans. Gram Panchayats are entrusted with preparation of rural plans for economic development and social justice. In the Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayats envision the local targets and actionable points for comprehensive plan through active participation of the community and other stakeholders. Gram Panchayat has to take Sankalp on different themes of LSDGs in the Gram Sabha for saturation of the themes to attain SDGs in rural areas.

In pursuance to the agenda of localising Sustainable Development Goals in Panchayats, Ministry of Panchayati Raj is organising a series of Thematic Workshops/ Conferences on Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) based on the nine themes to be saturated by the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), at different locations in close collaboration with State/ UT Departments of Panchayati Raj, State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs), line Ministries/ Departments and other stakeholders. Till now six National Workshops covering 8 themes of LSDGs have already been held across various States/UTs over the past two years.

The effective and impactful implementation of LSDGs can occur only when the concept and its process are properly understood, imbibed and implemented by the three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in order to ensure no one is left behind.

The vision of the Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats is to create equitable, inclusive, and empowered rural communities where every individual, regardless of caste, gender, age, or socio-economic status, enjoys equal access to rights, opportunities, and social security measures. Panchayats under this theme will function as catalysts for ensuring justice, fostering an environment where marginalized and vulnerable groups are actively supported and protected. By prioritizing access to essential services like healthcare, education, and employment, and strengthening social protection mechanisms such as pensions, insurance, and public safety nets, Panchayats will work toward eliminating social disparities and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for all. The goal is to foster a culture of participation, where community members are empowered to voice their concerns and influence decision-making processes.

Through integrated social justice frameworks and grassroots-level governance, these Panchayats will build resilient, inclusive, and socially secure communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development and prosperity.

Gram Panchayats have to envision to transform itself to Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats through the Support for basic requirements, such as pensions, access to public food distribution, housing, water, and help in tough situations, are provided by a number of Social Security welfare programs for people and families. A vital component of social security, safety is essential for maintaining one's physical, emotional, and financial well-being.

Furthermore, Gram Panchayats would also ensure to provide basic, inclusive and quality services to all villagers, children, women, elderly person, backward and marginalized groups.

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