Sarpanch and Panchayat officials will get training in smart classes, the government is busy developing the infrastructure of Panchayat state institutions.

New Delhi: To realize Modi government's concept of self-reliant India, the government is working with the thought of connecting every village with the mainstream of development. Accordingly, continuous efforts are being made for active role of Sarpanches and Panchayat officials in development programs and activities related to ease of living in rural areas. That is why the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has decided to strengthen the infrastructure of Panchayati Raj institutions and develop Panchayat Resource Centers in the form of smart classes, so that better training can be given to Panchayat representatives through digital media.

Recently, a meeting of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the centrally funded National Gram Swaraj Abhiyan of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj was held. Many proposals were approved in this, which mainly included strengthening the infrastructure of Panchayati Raj institutions. In a meeting chaired by Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary of the Ministry, it was decided that State Panchayat Resource Centers (SPRC) and District Panchayat Resource Centers (DPRC) would be upgraded as smart classes. Now it has been decided that computer labs will be set up in SPRCs of 25 states and DPRCs of 395 districts to make them smart classes. These centers will be equipped with projectors, LCD, interactive panels and PA systems etc. The government intends to upgrade the Panchayat Resource Centers and run high capacity building programs there. Through this medium, the aim is to provide digital knowledge as well as other important training to Sarpanches and Panchayat officials. Along with this, CEC has also approved the construction of 3301 Gram Panchayat buildings along with Common Service Center in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab and Telangana.