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SRINAGAR: The Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Jammu & Kashmir, today hosted a high-level delegation from the South Goa Zilla Panchayat at Panchayat Bhawan, Budgam, as part of an inter-state knowledge exchange programme aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions through mutual learning and the sharing of best practices.
The delegation was led by Siddharth Dessai, Chairperson, South Goa Zilla Panchayat, Vikas Kamble, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Agostinho Fernandes, Chief Accounts Officer, along with 19 elected members of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat.
The visiting delegation was welcomed by Director, Rural Development Department & Panchayati Raj Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Joint Director (Administration) RDD Kashmir, Nasir Mahmood Khan along with senior officers of the department, members of the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC), and representatives of award-winning Panchayats from Jammu & Kashmir.
The technical session commenced with a detailed presentation by experts from the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC), highlighting the structure, functioning, achievements, innovations and best practices of the Panchayati Raj system in Jammu & Kashmir. The presentation showcased the UT's initiatives in strengthening grassroots governance, improving rural service delivery, promoting transparency and encouraging community participation.
The programme also featured an inspiring experience-sharing session by award-winning Panchayat representatives who shared successful initiatives and innovative governance practices implemented at the grassroots level.
Members of the South Goa Zilla Panchayat delegation interacted with officers and Panchayat representatives during an open discussion, exchanging experiences, ideas and practical approaches to strengthening local self-governance. The interactive session provided a valuable platform for cross-learning and exploring opportunities for adopting best practices across states.
Addressing the gathering, Director RDD, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, emphasized the importance of collaborative learning among Panchayati Raj Institutions and underscored the role of such exposure visits in enhancing governance, capacity building and rural development. He highlighted Jammu & Kashmir's commitment to empowering Panchayats and promoting inclusive, participatory and transparent rural governance.
"The District Development Council has played a significant role in strengthening grassroots democracy. Although the elected bodies have recently completed their tenure and we are in the process of fresh elections, these institutions have contributed immensely to deepening democratic values, promoting transparency, and accelerating rural development," he said. Wani said that such interactions provide an invaluable opportunity for mutual learning, exchange of experiences, and adoption of best practices.
