Secretary of Panchayat Raj Department, Sunil Kumar today emphasised the need for continuing strong self-governance in rural and urban areas. He called upon the stakeholders of Panchayat Raj to work together in the direction.
 
Speaking after inaugurating a two-day workshop and soft launch of the School of Excellence in Panchayat Raj (SoEPR) at the National Institute of Rural Development-Panchayat Raj in Hyderabad, the Secretary said there is an urgent need for intellectual brainstorming of all the stakeholders for the future of panchayats especially in the context of various court judgments in various states.

He said the SoEPR with its 9 centres will strive to spread knowledge relating to the ground-level Panchayat Raj system at the national level and focus on strengthening Panchayat Raj in the coming days. It is said that the data of Panchayat Raj is crucial to assess the progress being made in the pursuit of sustainable development goals of the comprehensive development of villages.
 
Director General of NIRD-PR Dr G Narendra Kumar and Additional Secretary of Panchayat Raj Department Chandra Shekhar Kumar were also present at the event.