TAWANG, 24 Sep: The Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission's (ArSRLM) Tawang Block Mission Management Unit (BMMU) organised anorientation programme on the Village Prosperity Resilience Plan (VPRP) for panchayati raj institution (PRI) members of the Tawang block at the IIM Shillong satellite centre here on Thursday.
Addressing the gathering, Tawang Panchayat Member Secretary and Deputy Director of Rural Development Tenzin Jambey highlighted the crucial role of panchayats in identifying and addressing developmental gaps at the grassroots level.
He urged PRI members to undertake proper mapping of their respective villages and actively involve SHG members in the preparation of development plans.
Pointing out that panchayat funds are often utilised for works such as CC steps, drains and retaining walls, he suggested exploring greater investment in horticulture, agriculture and allied livelihood sectors to generate sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities. He urged PRI members to incorporate such initiatives into the upcoming GPDP of Tawang block.
Tawang ZPM Sonam Nordzin commended the Tawang ArSRLM-BMMU for organising the orientation programme for panchayat leaders, and described it as an "enlightening initiative" for strengthening their understanding of the role of PRIs in promoting SHGs and empowering rural women.
She congratulated Nawang Chonzom on the successful registration of the Khandro Drowa Zangmo Cooperative Society, and expressed hope that the achievement would inspire other women and SHGs to pursue similar initiatives towards economic self-reliance.
Assuring of her full cooperation and support for the future endeavours of SHGs in Tawang block, the ZPM also called upon panchayat leaders to discharge their responsibilities with "kindness, compassion and sensitivity" while dealing with the public.
Earlier, Tawang ArSRLM BMM Thupten Chudup delivered a presentation on the functioning and various activities of the ArSRLM in Tawang.
Highlighting the mission's role in the formation and strengthening of self-help groups (SHGs), he emphasised that an empowered woman contributes significantly towards building an empowered and prosperous village.
Elaborating the VPRP, he said that "it is a community-based demand plan that needs to be incorporated into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)." He explained that its major components include entitlement plan, livelihood plan, public goods, services and resource development plan, and social development plan.
Assistant Commissioner-cum-DPO Nawang Thutan, DHO Koncho Gyatso, DVO Dr Thupten Tashi, CDPO Dondup Pema, 10 gram chairpersons of Tawang block and chairperson of Khandro Drowa Zangmo Cooperative Society, Tawang, Nawang Chonzom, among others, attended the programme. (DIPRO)
