Imphal, March 31: A daylong workshop cum seminar on the theme of 'Gram Sabha Empowerment' (Panchayati Raj) was held at Hiyangthang Maning Mahadev community Hall to discuss the finer points of the activities of the Gram Sabha and its role in the development of rural areas.

The workshop was facilitated by Hiyangthang Apunba Self Help Group under the sponsorship of Citizen Volunteers Training Centre.

Pradhan of Hiyangthang Gram Sabha Manglemtomba and Wangoi Block Development Officer Ch Thambal inaugurated the workshop as functional president and chief guest respectively.

The main objective of the workshop was to discuss role and function of Gram Sabha in development of rural area and to study how far Government has empowered these grassroots institutions toward achieving their stated objective.

Taking part in the discussion, Ch Thambal observed that rural development programmes to be taken up by Zilla Parishad and Gram Sabha has not been able to make a head start as the Government has not given necessary power to these institutions.

In his address, Manglemtomba said despite claim of Govt that power from 22 departments have been transferred to Gram Panchayat, it is only in name sake and no concrete steps have been taken up for upliftment of rural area.

As the meeting of the Gram Sabha has never been convened on time, necessary planning measures could not be finalised at all.

It is becoming all the more clear from such negligence attitude that in reality the Govt not in favour of devolution of power to the Gram Panchayat nor want to disclosed any related information in this regard, he alleged.

Project Officer of ICAR RK Imotomba who also participated during the workshop as one of the resource persons enlightened the people on the activities of the Gram Sabha and fielded questions raised by the participants in this connection.

Around 100 members of Meira Paibi bodies and SHGs participated in the workshop.

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