CUTTACK: The State Government will develop 50 gram panchayats (GPs) as model panchayats in collaboration with the Vyakti Vikas Kendra India (The Art of Living).A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between Panchayati Raj and Social Security and Empowerment of Person with Disability (SSEPD) departments and The Art of Living at Amarendrapur village of Banki in Cuttack district on Friday. Director of SSEPD Mansi Nimbhal signed the Mou on behalf of the State Government.
Stressing on proper implementation of Integrated Model Gram Panchayat Welfare Programme, founder of the Art of Living Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said Bharat Nirman Volunteers (BNVs) are helping in designing a new rural India by developing skills of villagers and farmers through Naba Chetana Sibira, Bala Chetana Sibira and Satsangh. Fifty panchayats have been identified in 11 districts of Odisha.
The initiative will ensure proper livelihood, open defecation-free, clean and green villages, alcohol and disease-free, PwD-friendly atmosphere and quality education in panchayats. This apart, Bhagabat Tungis in the villages will be revived. Several volunteers have been working for the last 15 months in the identified panchayats for capacity building of all stakeholders, he added.
Principal Secretary of SSEPD Department Niten Chandra, Deputy Director of Rural Development Department Saroj Das, all ABDOs, GP officials, BNVs and representatives of the 50 panchayats were present.