MoPR Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj launched the program. He remarked that the aim is to establish Atmanirbhar Panchayats (self-sustaining village bodies) and that generating local revenue is a crucial step towards fulfilling the same. He urged the participants-trainers from 16 states and union territories to go back to their respective states and facilitate Panchayats to enhance their finances through local solutions and community initiatives.

IIM Ahmedabad has created the training modules to be practical and include how to raise local taxes, handle funds more efficiently and prepare development projects. The training includes revenue collection, citizen participation, utilisation of technology and experiences from model Panchayats from all over India including Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Sushil Kumar Lohani who is the Additional Secretary in the MoPR added that the ministry is also developing a model set of rules and an online tax collection platform to simplify the process and ensure transparency.

A total of 65 trainers are participating in this session and another phase of training will be conducted in July to cover more areas. These trainers will assist in developing robust Panchayats that can manage and finance their own developmental activities.