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SRINAGAR: The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR), Jammu & Kashmir, successfully conducted a 3-day training cum workshop focused on Own Source Revenue (OSR).
The program was designed to equip Panchayat Account Assistants of the department and other functionaries with the essential knowledge and skills to unlock the financial potential of Halqa Panchayats.
The workshop delved deep into the critical importance of OSR, framing it as the lifeblood for ensuring the autonomy, sustainable development, and effective service delivery of Panchayats. A core component of the training was a detailed exposition of the legal framework provided by the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
Director Panchayati Raj, J&K, Sham Lal, emphasized the transformative objective of the initiative."This training is a cornerstone of our mission to build financially self-reliant and Atma-Nirbhar Panchayats," he stated.
He said by empowering our grassroots functionaries with the knowledge to augment and strategically utilize their own revenue, we are fundamentally strengthening the third tier of governance and accelerating local development tailored to community needs.
Thematic experts from the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC), District Panchayat Resource Centres (DPRC), and the School of Excellence for Panchayati Raj (SoEPR) guided participants through the specific provisions, including Sections 13 to 23, which detail the properties, taxation powers, and fund management mechanisms available to Halqa Panchayats.
Participants received hands-on training in the practical aspects of OSR management. This included procedures for levying taxes and fees, maintaining meticulous books of records, and the preparation of a separate, Gram Sabha-approved annual budget for OSR funds.
The curriculum also covered the stringent guidelines for incurring expenditure from OSR, emphasizing financial prudence, transparency, and the prohibition of using these funds for private assets or donations.
To inspire innovative thinking, the workshop showcased best practices and successful case studies from other Indian states, such as the remarkable OSR generation model of Mukundapur Patna Gram Panchayat in Odisha.
These examples highlighted diverse revenue streams, from waste-to-wealth initiatives and eco-tourism to leasing Panchayat assets and imposing user charges for local services.
The training adopted a highly interactive methodology, moving beyond traditional lectures. It incorporated brainstorming sessions, sub-group discussions, guided reading, and group activities to foster a collaborative and practical learning environment.