NLU Tripura conducts capacity building programme for Khowai Panchayat representatives

National Law University Tripura successfully conducted a two-day capacity building programme on “Constitutional Values, Gender Justice and Child-Centric Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)” for Panchayat representatives of Khowai district.

The programme, held on April 23–24 at the State Resource Centre in A.D. Nagar, brought together Pradhans, Chairpersons of Panchayat Samities, and Panchayat Executive Officers (PExOs). It was organised as part of the second phase of a handholding support project entrusted to the university by the Rural Development (Panchayat) Department, Government of Tripura.

Under this phase, the university is extending support to 713 Gram Panchayats and Village Committees across five districts to strengthen the preparation of GPDPs. The initiative focuses on integrating constitutional values into grassroots planning and governance.

Around 35 participants attended the sessions, where emphasis was laid on social justice, inclusion of vulnerable groups, gender equality, child rights, and community health. The programme also highlighted the importance of developing constitutionally aware Panchayats and promoting child-friendly, women-friendly, and substance-free villages through effective planning and implementation.

The sessions aimed to enhance the capacity of local representatives to prepare inclusive and participatory development plans aligned with these priorities.

The university team, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Yogesh Pratap Singh, is also developing thematic booklets and resource materials to assist Panchayat functionaries in adopting a rights-based approach to rural development.

The programme saw active participation from local representatives, reflecting a strong commitment towards building equitable and sustainable rural communities in Tripura.

The university has planned similar workshops for grassroots representatives in North Tripura, South Tripura, Unakoti, and Dhalai districts. In the first phase, the handholding initiative covered 480 Gram Panchayats and Village Committees across West Tripura, Gomati, and Sepahijala districts.