Training and Implementation is the core feature of team IGG. Most of our members are Master Trainers and Trainers who have conducted various training programs in the field of local governance and development
The major aspect of training is to increase the capacities of the Local Governments such as village panchayats, municipalities, etc by addressing the knowledge gaps and also facilitate them to undertake sustainable developmental initiatives.
As part of the celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day, Team IGG have conducted a whatsapp level interactive training program on Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) to 50 newly elected local government representatives of Tamil Nadu in collaboration with the Block Development Officer (BDO). The Session was a first of kind for the panchayat presidents wherein they actively participated and discussed about various aspects of GPDP.
The data from the recent local
government elections held in December 2019 shows that around 56.33% are women, which indicates that
50% reservation of women mentioned in the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act paved the way of utilizing
the women leadership positions in the Village Panchayats.
Here, 5421 out of 9622 elected village
panchayat presidents are women and among them more than 20% are young women Panchayat presidents.
The presence of women in local governments provides a major scope for women to engage in the
politico-developmental decision-making process. This breaks the existing stereotypes of women’s
roles in our society. So, Team IGG planned to strengthen those young women panchayat presidents
amidst the covid situation by initiating a six month project titled "Strengthening Young Women
Village Panchayat Presidents of Tamil Nadu". Ms. Eyogavee from our team acted as a project lead and
we have also recruited ten voluntary associates to train the women presidents. As per the present
situation the training for panchayat Presidents have been conducted only through online and couple
of panchayats also has been visited on-ground for their developmental support. Through this
initiative, these young women panchayat presidents are able to learn the know-how for the
implementation of developmental activities. The presidents also shared that their capacities has
been improved through these online sessions. Although the project has been completed, we have been
constantly in touch with these presidents to plan for further future activities.
Ms. Eyogavee , Treasurer at IGG who is also expertise in implementing child friendly panchayat
initiatives had took lead on this project along with a local volunteer.
She had taken multiple
sessions about Bala Sabha in School for 10-15 days where she spoke about how children can exercise
their rights and address their problems through this forum. Students have been actively participated
in the sessions and elections were conducted amongst them to choose the members of Bala Sabha. The
Bala Sabha was officially inaugurated by the Village Panchayat president and members of the Bala
Sabha. The Bala Sabha members introduced themselves as well as their future plan and activities they
going to undertake through the Bala Sabha. The activities will be monitored by the school teachers
and rotaract club members.
Team IGG collaborated with Cuddalore District administration to take an online session on Gram Sabha
with interested 40 Panchayat presidents.
Mr. Prabagaran M, Training Lead at IGG acted as a resource
person wherein he discussed about Gram Sabha’s importance/procedures , 1994 Tamilnadu panchayat act
& various guidelines, MGNREGA benefit, Village panchayat awards and others issues related to women
and Youth empowerment in Village Panchayats.
The important aspects of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) have to reach various stakeholders in a village panchayat and it is imperative to take a training session on the same. In this regard, a two days workshop has been organized at Vellichandhai panchayat, Dharmapuri District in collaboration with Namathu Grama Sabha Iyakkam (NGSI). Mr Prabagaran , Training Lead at IGG and Mr Vinayaga Moorthy, president at NGSI conducted various sessions related to GPDP. The session was attended by 40 participants includes panchayat ward members, volunteers, civil society institutions . The major topics covered are Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act; Local Financial Administration; Powers of Gram Sabha / village panchayat; Village panchayat committees.
