State-level workshop on Panchayat Advancement Index held in Ranchi

A state-level dissemination workshop on the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0) was organised on Thursday at a local hotel here. The event aimed to promote performance-based development in rural governance and align panchayat efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Addressing the gathering, Director of Panchayati Raj, Rajeshwari B, said that Jharkhand has made notable progress under the “Healthy Panchayat” theme of PAI 2.0. She emphasised that the Panchayat Advancement Index is a tool to guide grassroots governance across nine thematic areas. “Given resource constraints, panchayats should focus on two themes each year and gradually expand to cover the rest. This phased approach will help achieve sustainable results,” she said.

Advertisement

She stressed that timely and accurate data entry on the PAI portal is essential to reflect on-ground progress. “Even if panchayats perform well, without proper documentation on the portal, they risk lagging in the rankings,” she said. She directed all District Development Commissioners (DDCs) to monitor the portal regularly and ensure data uploads are taking place.

As per the latest PAI assessment, Lohardaga district ranked first with 59.37%, followed by Khunti, West Singhbhum, Dhanbad, and Jamtara.

Highlighting the state government’s efforts towards panchayat empowerment, Rajeshwari B said infrastructure upgrades and digital systems are being implemented under the Digital Panchayat Programme. “All necessary digital facilities are now available at the panchayat level, so there should be no hindrance in data entry,” she added.

She further said that mukhiyas remain central to rural development. “Most of the development initiatives in the panchayat are implemented through the mukhiya. Their role is vital,” she noted. A new training programme portal has been developed, through which mukhiyas and officials can register and receive certification after completion.

On the occasion, districts, blocks, and panchayats that showed notable performance under PAI 2.0 were recognised and felicitated.

The workshop saw participation from Zila Parishad chairpersons, DDCs, Additional Secretary of Panchayati Raj Shail Prabha Kujur, district panchayat officers, mukhiyas, departmental staff from various districts, and other dignitaries.