The program is organised by the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Centre for Policy Research and Analysis at IIM Shillong. It aims to help elected representatives and officials of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The program supports them in performing their roles in rural development, planning and public services more effectively.

Inaugurating the program, Director IIM Shillong, Prof Rohit Dwivedi, said that the Panchayats play a crucial role in bringing about comprehensive and sustainable rural development and called upon the elected representatives to use the knowledge and skills acquired through this programme for the overall development of their respective constituencies and explained the importance of transparency and accountability and its implementation process at the grass root level.

The five-day MDP will deal with important themes that would include PRI Planning and Financial Management, Social Inclusion, Gender Equity, Community Participation, e-Governance, Conflict Management, Design Thinking, Meeting with local Panchayat Head and Communities, Leadership, Management of Communities and more. These sessions will be led by senior government officials and experts in their respective areas and conducted through case studies and group discussions.

Thirty-eight members from the Panchayats elected in the state of Tripura are taking part in the activities.