Project Dakshyata launched to empower PRI functionaries

Bhubaneswar, Mar 5 (UNI) As many as 200 Gram Panchayats in Orissa will be computerised on a pilot basis in a couple of months, Minister for Panchayati Raj Raghunath Mohanty announced here today.

Launching 'Dakshyata', a project aimed at building the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institution functionaries, Mr Mohanty said the first phase of computerisation would be done in the panchayats having 'pucca' building, telephone and electricity connections.

The project was launched at a function here on the occasion of the 92nd birth anniversary of former chief minister Biju Patnaik, being celebrated as 'Panchayat Raj Diwas' throughout the state.

The minister said the rest 6034 panchayats would be computerised in the second phase within the next two years.

The computerisation programme was a part of overall governance reform programmes of the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP) and the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID).

The Dakshyata project launched with the assistance of UNDP and DFID, aimed at successful implementation of various rural development programmes.

It would help to educate the PRI functionaries about handling the PR structures, operational modalities,providing necessary training to different stake holders for improved governance through inter and intra institutional coordination, develop a standard capacity building framework and a capacity building policy of the state.

About 30,000 functionaries like president, vice-president and members of zilla parishad, chairpersons, vice-chairperson, panchayat samiti members,sarpanches, naib sarpanches, panchayat executive officers and panchayat secretaries would be involved in capacity building within ten months.

The State Institute for Rural Development(SIRD)would collaborate with academic, training institutions, NGO and various government and private agencies for the purpose.

The SIRD, in collaboration with some capable agencies, would also develop a pool of 100 state level trainers and 400 district level trainers to conduct large scale training programme.

As per the plan each of the functionaries would be given about 15 days training through five different modules.The project would impart training mainly on rule, role and responsibilities of the PRI, Financial accounts and Management,Transparency and Accountability on various schemes.

The minister said training was needed as Rs 50 lakh to Rs one crore is likely to be spent in every panchayat in the coming years and without building the capacity of the PRI functionaries the desired result would not be achieved.

UNDP Country Director Pradeep Jena said the project is likely to be replicated in other states if it succeeds in Orissa.

UNI BD-DP PL KLC1524