Sri Vijaya Puram: In a push to strengthen local governance through data-driven decision-making, the Directorate of Rural Development, PRIs, and ULBs, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, conducted a one-day state-level training on the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0. The session was held on June 30, 2025, at the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC) Training Hall in Marine Hill, Sri Vijaya Puram.
The training aimed to equip key stakeholders of the Panchayati Raj system with the knowledge and tools necessary for promoting transparent, accountable, and performance-oriented governance at the grassroots level. Organized under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), the programme introduced participants to the updated PAI framework, designed to assess and benchmark Panchayat performance across critical areas of service delivery and administration.
K.A. Prameela, Assistant Director (RD/P), inaugurated the session and highlighted the importance of evidence-based evaluation in improving Panchayat functioning. She noted that the PAI 2.0 is a crucial tool for ensuring transparency and enabling panchayats to plan and deliver services more effectively.
The training brought together Block Development Officers, Panchayat Secretaries, officials from various line departments, RGSA team members, and staff of the Rural Development Department. Participants received comprehensive orientation on the PAI 2.0 methodology, key indicators, and implementation processes aimed at fostering measurable improvements in local governance.
The session featured presentations by four Master Trainers, who shared insights on operationalizing the PAI framework and aligning it with ongoing development priorities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Extension Officer Jitesh Dubey, who commended the collaborative spirit of all attendees and reiterated the Administration’s commitment to strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions through capacity building and systemic reforms.
The event marks a significant step in institutionalizing data-backed planning and performance monitoring mechanisms across rural governance structures in the Union Territory.
