·         Innovative project management exercise at SIRD&PR helps Sarpanches understand effective Gram Panchayat planning

 

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 10, 2026

How can a Gram Panchayat prepare an effective Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by balancing limited financial resources, fixed timelines and the diverse needs of the community? The State Institute for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PR) answered this question through an innovative, hands-on project management exercise during a training programme for Sarpanches.

A special session on the role of project management in GPDP preparation was organised as part of a two-day training programme at SIRD&PR. The session was conducted by Shri Santosh Kumar Patra, Deputy Director, SIRD&PR. Altogether 63 Sarpanches from Balasore, Boudh, Jagatsinghpur, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendrapara, Keonjhar and Sonepur districts participated in the programme.

As part of the interactive exercise, participants were divided into two groups, with each group allotted a budget of ₹500. They were asked to nominate one member as the King and another as the Queen and creatively dress them using materials purchased within the allotted budget. The groups were given just 20 minutes to procure the required items from the market, including paper, scissors, staplers, glue, erasers, safety pins, sketch pens and other stationery.

After the activity, the underlying principles of project management embedded in the exercise were explained to the participants. The ₹500 budget symbolised the limited financial resources available to a Gram Panchayat, while the task of selecting materials represented the need to assess community requirements, prioritise essential needs and allocate resources judiciously. The 20-minute time limit illustrated the importance of working within prescribed timelines for planning and implementing development projects.

The two-day training programme focused on enhancing the capacity of Gram Panchayats to mobilise Own Source Revenue (OSR), explore various avenues for revenue generation and ensure the planned and efficient utilisation of available resources. It also aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to prepare realistic, need-based and outcome-oriented Gram Panchayat Development Plans.

The participating Sarpanches expressed confidence that the training would enable them to strengthen Own Source Revenue in their respective Panchayats, promote self-reliant local governance and contribute to the vision of 'Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha'.