National Workshop on Socially Just Panchayats in Patna

Patna- The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Bihar, is organizing a three-day National Workshop on "Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats" from 10th to 12th September. Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, will preside over the inaugural ceremony. The event will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar.
The workshop will see the participation of several prominent leaders including Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, and other key ministers from the Government of Bihar. Senior officials from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and various state departments will also be present.
The central theme of the workshop is "Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayats," which falls under one of the nine localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The aim is to promote the holistic development of villages with a strong focus on the mental, physical, and economic well-being of marginalized groups, including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and other vulnerable sections of society.

The event is expected to draw over 800 participants from 29 States and Union Territories across India. This includes elected representatives from Panchayati Raj Institutions, senior officers from both central and state governments, as well as representatives from NGOs and UN agencies.

The workshop will feature discussions on a variety of topics aimed at enhancing social justice and security at the grassroots level. Key topics include improving access to essential services like healthcare, education, food security, and housing, particularly for marginalized communities such as SCs, STs, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.

Panchayats that have demonstrated exemplary practices in ensuring social security and equity will share their experiences through video presentations. Additionally, NGOs and UN agencies that have successfully implemented innovative models for the welfare of disadvantaged groups will present their work.

This workshop is part of the Ministry's broader initiative to localize the SDGs through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). By aggregating 17 global goals into nine relatable themes, the Ministry aims to ensure effective implementation at the grassroots level. The goal is to create a more inclusive, equitable, and socially secure rural community where every individual enjoys equal access to rights and opportunities.

Previous national workshops on other themes of localized SDGs have been held across various states, with this event marking the seventh such workshop. The Ministry continues to emphasize the importance of grassroots-level governance in achieving sustainable development and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Through this workshop, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj aims to equip PRIs with the knowledge and tools necessary to transform their villages into socially just and socially secure communities, in line with the government's broader vision for rural development.