Srinagar: The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RDD&PR), Jammu & Kashmir, on Monday hosted a delegation from the South Goa Zilla Panchayat as part of an inter-state knowledge exchange programme aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions through the sharing of governance practices and experiences.
The delegation, led by South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Siddharth Dessai, included Chief Executive Officer Vikas Kamble, Chief Accounts Officer Agostinho Fernandes and 19 elected members. They were received at Panchayat Bhawan, Budgam, by Director Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Joint Director (Administration) RDD Kashmir Nasir Mahmood Khan and other senior officials.
During the programme, experts from the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC) gave a presentation on the structure, functioning and initiatives of the Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting measures aimed at improving rural service delivery, transparency and community participation.
Representatives of award-winning Panchayats from Jammu and Kashmir also shared their experiences and initiatives in grassroots governance. The visiting delegation held discussions with officials and Panchayat representatives on governance practices and explored the adoption of successful models across states.
Addressing the participants, Wani said inter-state exposure visits provide an opportunity for mutual learning and help strengthen governance, capacity building and rural development. He reiterated the department’s commitment to promoting inclusive and transparent rural governance through empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Referring to local self-government institutions in the Union Territory, Wani said the District Development Councils had played an important role in strengthening grassroots democracy. He noted that while the elected bodies had completed their tenure and fresh elections were being prepared, they had contributed significantly to promoting transparency and rural development.
