Kupwara: A two-day district-level cluster training programme on capacity building and handholding support for the formulation of quality Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) was organised in Kupwara, with special focus on 24 selected panchayats of the district.
The workshop was organised by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India.
The programme aimed to strengthen grassroots governance through comprehensive and holistic planning, covering total number of 287 panchayats across 24 blocks.
Emphasis was laid on identifying priority areas for effective utilisation of development funds and ensuring people’s participation in planning.
Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Arshid Qadir Bhat, attended the workshop as the chief guest. He urged prominent citizens, retired employees, social workers, and ex-servicemen to actively participate in Gram Sabhas to make local development plans more inclusive and need-based.
During the training, participants were sensitised on key components of panchayat planning, including environment creation, community mobilisation, and sector-wise data collection and compilation.
Practical sessions were also conducted to guide officials and elected representatives in drafting, finalising, and approving quality GPDPs.
The same workshop was also organised in Kralpora and Handwara, extending capacity-building support to more panchayat representatives.
ACP Arshid bhat said that the initiative would strengthen decentralised planning, enhance transparency, and ensure that development plans reflect the real needs of the people across Kupwara district.





