National Writeshop in New Delhi to Launch Panchayat Initiative
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to host a two-day National Writeshop on the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Version 2.0 from May 26 to 27, 2025, at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. This event marks the national rollout of PAI 2.0 for the fiscal year 2023-24, focusing on enhancing data-driven monitoring and planning at the Gram Panchayat level. The initiative aims to foster holistic, inclusive, and sustainable development in rural areas through effective Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Inaugural Session and Key Participants
The inaugural session of the Writeshop will feature prominent figures including Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Shri Saurabh Garg, Secretary of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. Other notable attendees include Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary of MoPR, and Shri Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Advisor at NITI Aayog. This gathering will also include various senior officials and experts who will contribute to discussions on the PAI 2.0 framework.
Overview of the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0
The PAI has been designed as a comprehensive tool to evaluate and monitor the progress of Gram Panchayats across nine themes that align with the Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). These themes encompass critical areas such as poverty alleviation, health, education, water sufficiency, environmental cleanliness, infrastructure, governance, social justice, and women’s empowerment. While the initial version, PAI 1.0, served as a baseline assessment tool, PAI 2.0 introduces significant enhancements based on extensive field experience and stakeholder feedback.
One of the most notable changes is the reduction of indicators from 516 in PAI 1.0 to just 147 in PAI 2.0. This streamlining aims to improve usability and lessen the reporting burden on local authorities. The new framework emphasizes quality over quantity, ensuring that the indicators are outcome-oriented and measurable. Additionally, PAI 2.0 features auto-integration of data from national portals, a mobile-friendly interface, and built-in validation mechanisms to enhance data accuracy.
Activities and Engagement During the Writeshop
The two-day event will include the release of the Local Indicator Framework (LIF) Booklet for FY 2023-24 and the launch of the upgraded PAI 2.0 Portal. Technical sessions will cover the PAI 1.0 Baseline Report, the methodology of PAI 2.0, and demonstrations of the portal’s functionalities. Participants will engage in hands-on group exercises focusing on portal configuration, data entry, and validation, as well as utilizing PAI outputs for effective planning.
On the second day, representatives from various States and Union Territories will share their experiences and insights from implementing PAI 1.0. They will also discuss how they intend to leverage PAI 2.0 to strengthen Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). The Writeshop will see participation from 32 States and Union Territories, including officials from various departments and technical teams from organizations such as NITI Aayog and UNICEF.
Promoting Inclusivity and Accessibility
To ensure broad accessibility and linguistic inclusivity, the Writeshop will be livestreamed in eleven Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu. This initiative aims to reach a wider audience and facilitate participation from diverse linguistic backgrounds, reinforcing the commitment to inclusive governance and development in rural India.
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