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 on May 2, 2026. 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, Shri 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.

He urged Panchayat leaders to think innovatively and act decisively to create meaningful and lasting impact in their regions, noting that true leadership is defined by the legacy one leaves behind. He stressed the importance of perspective in unlocking new opportunities for growth and development, inspiring participants to see themselves as catalysts of change in shaping empowered, resilient, and self-sufficient Panchayats that contribute to the India of 2047.

Shri 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. He stressed enhancing Own Source Revenue, reducing dependency on grants, and efficient utilisation of government funds. While acknowledging Telangana’s progress, he called for greater innovation, strategic planning, and adoption of best practices. He encouraged Sarpanches to learn from high-performing Panchayats and replicate successful models, emphasising that good governance begins with local ownership, accountability, and active community participation.

 

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. Shri P. J. Wesley, Deputy Commissioner (PR), Telangana, and Nodal Officer for Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, highlighted the critical importance of OSR strengthening and encouraged Panchayat representatives to adopt innovative and sustainable approaches for effective local governance.

Shri 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. He called for coordinated institutional efforts to make Panchayats strong drivers of economic growth and self-reliance.

 

The Technical Team, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, conducted a live demonstration of the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Portal, providing an end-to-end walkthrough of application workflows and dashboards and equipping participants with practical insights for effective digital implementation.

 

The Outreach Workshop on the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme featured an interactive Q&A session. Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, interacted with participants in the presence of senior officials from the Telangana Panchayati Raj Department. The session provided a platform to address queries, discuss proposals, and facilitate constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange.

 

The Outreach Workshop served as a significant platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and capacity building towards achieving self-reliant, vibrant, and financially empowered Panchayats across the country.

 

Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme

 

The Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme is envisaged to support eligible Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats in developing and implementing financially viable, bankable projects that strengthen their Own Sources of Revenue (OSR). Through a transparent national challenge process, selected Panchayat proposals will receive dedicated technical assistance from project development to financial closure, with support spanning Public-Private Partnerships, CSR funding, bank finance, and convergence with government schemes. Community participation is ensured through mandatory Gram Sabha consent, with ideas originating from the Panchayats themselves and technical assistance transforming winning proposals into bankable projects. Over its four-year implementation period, the Programme aspires to build a new generation of self-reliant, economically confident Panchayats, each a living demonstration that financial independence and good local governance go hand in hand.

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MK/ASCR

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