(From Planning for the People to Planning with the People)
Dr. Javeed Ahmad:
A significant transformation in grassroots planning is underway in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir through the Quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) initiative. Launched by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) in collaboration with the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, and IMPARD, the initiative is transforming the way village development plans are prepared. Moving beyond conventional planning methods, the Quality GPDP initiative emphasizes scientifically designed, evidence based, participatory, and convergent Gram Panchayat Development Plans that genuinely reflect the needs and aspirations of rural communities. As the first initiative of its kind in Jammu & Kashmir, it goes beyond procedural compliance to foster a culture of quality planning, institutional capacity building, and community participation.
The initiative forms an integral part of the 2025 to 2026 Action Plan and seeks to deepen decentralized governance by strengthening the planning capacities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Through an innovative cascade training model, the project combines structured capacity building with intensive field level handholding, ensuring that every Gram Panchayat is equipped to prepare comprehensive and implementable development plans. The project currently covers 285 selected Gram Panchayats across all districts of Jammu & Kashmir, including 160 Gram Panchayats in the Jammu Division and 125 Gram Panchayats in the Kashmir Division, organized into well defined training clusters. This extensive geographical coverage makes it one of the largest structured GPDP capacity building and mentoring initiatives undertaken in the Union Territory.
A notable feature of the project is its systematic implementation framework. The initiative has successfully completed all major capacity building components, including the preparation of two comprehensive training modules, the organization of two divisional workshops, 38 cluster level training programmes, and the facilitation of 855 Gram Sabha meetings across the selected Gram Panchayats. These milestones have laid a strong foundation for participatory planning while strengthening the institutional capacities of Panchayat representatives, Panchayat Secretaries, Master Trainers, and officials of line departments.
The project has now entered its most critical phase, intensive handholding support. Dedicated teams of SoEPR consultants and Master Trainers are working closely with Panchayat Secretariats to ensure that every GPDP is prepared in accordance with prescribed guidelines and quality standards. This personalized mentoring approach enables Panchayats to identify local priorities, improve convergence among development schemes, address technical issues, and finalize comprehensive development plans. The process of uploading finalized GPDPs on the eGram Swaraj Portal has commenced and is progressing steadily, with approvals pending at the appropriate administrative levels.
The primary objective of the initiative is not merely to prepare village development plans but to institutionalize a culture of quality, inclusive, and participatory planning. It seeks to strengthen the capacities of Panchayat representatives and line department functionaries, provide technical handholding to Panchayat Secretariats, ensure the preparation of GPDPs in accordance with national guidelines, and facilitate timely digital submission through the eGram Swaraj platform.
One of the defining strengths of the Quality GPDP initiative is its emphasis on convergent planning. Development priorities identified through Gram Sabhas are systematically linked with flagship programmes such as MGNREGS, PMAY G, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Poshan Abhiyan, and other Central and Union Territory schemes. This integrated planning approach minimizes duplication of effort, optimizes available resources, and enables Panchayats to deliver maximum benefits to rural communities.
The Quality GPDP initiative demonstrates that effective rural development begins with quality planning. By combining technical expertise, community participation, digital governance, and inter departmental convergence, the project has transformed GPDP preparation from a procedural requirement into a dynamic process of community led development.
Beyond strengthening planning processes, the initiative is creating long term institutional capacity within Panchayati Raj Institutions. Trained Panchayat Secretaries, Master Trainers, and elected representatives will continue to serve as valuable local resources for future planning cycles, ensuring the sustainability of this reform. As Jammu & Kashmir moves towards stronger decentralized governance, the Quality GPDP initiative stands out as a model of innovation and excellence in grassroots planning.
Its success demonstrates that when local communities actively participate in decision making and government schemes are effectively converged around locally identified priorities, development becomes more responsive, equitable, and sustainable. The experience of these 285 Gram Panchayats offers valuable lessons for replication across the country. It reinforces the vision of “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas” and illustrates how quality planning can become a powerful instrument for achieving inclusive rural development. Quality GPDP is more than a planning exercise. It is a transformative movement that empowers Panchayats, strengthens grassroots democracy, and ensures that development is shaped by the voices and aspirations of the people themselves.
The Quality GPDP initiative is expected to gain further momentum under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Riyaz Ahmad Wani, Director, Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Jammu & Kashmir. With his vision of strengthening grassroots institutions, promoting participatory governance, and enhancing the quality of decentralized planning, the initiative has the potential to expand beyond the current project and reach every Gram Panchayat across the Union Territory. Scaling up this model will enable all Panchayats to prepare high quality, evidence based, and convergent Gram Panchayat Development Plans, ensuring that development priorities are driven by community aspirations and aligned with the vision of “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas.”
(Note: Dr. Javeed Ahmad (Ph.D.) is a Rural Development Professional and Social Audit Expert with expertise in Panchayati Raj, GPDP, capacity building, participatory governance, monitoring and evaluation, and institutional development.)
