DIMAPUR — An orientation and training programme on the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for the year 2025-2026 was held at the DC’s office conference hall in Zunheboto on Friday.
The programme was aimed at empowering the local departments and block staff to effectively contribute to the GPDP process.
During the programme, T Phoishe Sema, project director, stressed on the importance of inter-departmental coordination. He highlighted that at least five departments should participate in the programme to ensure its success and avoid any hindrance during implementation.
In his inaugural address, the deputy commissioner of Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, emphasised the significance of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan in strengthening rural governance and ensuring sustainable development at the grassroots.
The training session featured two key resource persons namely Nyiyalo Kath, assistant programme coordinator (APC), and Alivi Achumi, district database manager (DBM).
Nyiyalo Kath spoke on the core objectives of the people’s plan campaign, which focuses on decentralising decision-making power to local communities. He urged every village to appoint a facilitator to manage and upload data including photographs onto the official portal.
He also outlined the essential elements of the GPDP process including vision, goals and action plans and stressed the importance of collecting and providing relevant data as well as engaging in Gram Sabha discussions.
Meanwhile, Alivi Achumi elaborated on the process of preparing the GPDP and the role of Gram Panchayats in empowering rural communities. She emphasised the use of digital tools like the Panchayat Nirnay App, Meri Panchayat App and the Gram Manchitra Portal.
She encouraged departments to utilise those platforms for recording meetings, training and events. She also mentioned that the apps serve as a one-stop solution for all departments, allowing efficient management and documentation of local government activities.
In his concluding remarks, Phoishe Sema expressed gratitude to the resource persons for their valuable insights and guidance. He expressed confidence that that the 29 departments in Zunheboto would greatly benefit from those initiatives, which aim to improve service delivery and governance at the village level.