Sensitisation programme prepares officials for integrated district planning for BRGF

GANGTOK, 28 Nov: As Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), a centrally funded Rural Development programme, enters its sixth year, preparation of Perspective Plans for the 12th Five Year Plan Period (2012- 2017) set off with a sensitization workshop for all the line department officials, District Programme Officers, Project Officer (BRGF) and the Field Facilitators.
A press release informs that the workshop was conducted at the State Institute of Rural Development, Karfectar, on 25 November in the presence of Special Secretary, Social Welfare Department, SK Shilal, Director (Accounts), DPER& NECAD, Bidan Dutta, Director (Panchayat), RM&DD, LN Pradhan, other line department officials, District Programme Officers, members of Urban Local Bodies and Field Facilitators of SIRD.
The workshop, succeeding the State Level Orientation Workshop held at RM&DD Conference Hall on 11 Nov, was conducted with a view to discuss about Integrated District Planning which involves convergence of different central, state and local schemes and funds, the release informs.
Several sessions and topics were covered by resource persons from different departments and development plans at various divisions were shared. One of objectives of the workshop was also to come up with a unified resolution about how planning should proceed so that all the activities listed in the framework are covered within the stipulated time. 
Discussions proceeded throughout the workshop and many issues and suggestions came up. Many agreed that wish lists submitted by the PRI representatives during Village Development Action Plan (VDAP) Programmes could be taken as a base plan at the GPU level since conducting Gram Sabhas at each of the GPUs in a short time period is not feasible, according to the release.
It was also suggested that the DPOs should take a proactive role in ensuring that all the documents and plans are shared with all the line department officials and those involved in the process. The plans could then be forwarded to the Panchayats who could then hold Special Gram Sabhas within a limited time frame in order to pass the plans.
TSI Consultant, Pawan Yangaldas in his presentation discussed extensively about objectives and process of Integrated District Planning through BRGF and roles and responsibilities of various departments and divisions (TSI, line departments, SIRD, DPCs etc) and their personnel in the entire perspective planning process.
The release further informs that a detailed timeline was also finalized whereby various works leading up to the approvals of District Plans by District Planning Commission is envisioned to be completed by the second week of January’ 2012.
District Level Workshops in North, West and South Sikkim is to be conducted at the district headquarters on 28 Nov, 01 Dec and 02 Dec 2011 respectively, the release adds. East District workshop was conducted on 22 Nov at Zilla Bhawan, Gangtok.
Also present during the programme were Addl. Director, SIRD, HK Sharma and Joint Director, SIRD, Bishal Rai. Course Director of the programme was Project Officer (BRGF), SIRD, Tshering Eden Bhutia who is also assigned as the District Project Coordinator for the planning process.
Technical Support Institute (TSI) Consultant, Pawan Kr. Yangaldas who is designing activity timeline for planning processes in consultation with relevant stakeholders and departments was also the master resource person.