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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Institution of Engineers (India), Kolkatta for providing technical assistance to Panchayats for implementation of development projects. The MOU was signed by Shri B.S. Lalli, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj for the Ministry while Shri B.J.Vasoya,Chairman of Institution of Engineers signed on behalf of his organization in the presence of Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj here today.
Through the Memorandum of Understanding, the Institution of Engineers would become a strategic partner of Ministry of Panchayati Raj for supporting local area development by Panchayats using local resources, endowments and skills through training and advisory services. This includes assisting PRIs for capacity building of members and officials of Panchayats in implementing and monitoring projects that require engineering skills. The Institution of Engineers will also assist in empanelling experts who could be contracted by Panchayats to tender assistance in planning and implementation of developmental programmes.
A Core Team of Institution of Engineers will be constituted at New Delhi for taking forward this initiative at national level and for coordination with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj . A task force would prepare an Action Plan and a schedule for the implementation of specific initiatives. State Governments will be persuaded to commit themselves to build partnership with the Institution of Engineers through the MOU that are being entered into with states separately.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Panchayati Raj said that through the Memorandum of Understanding, the Government affirms its commitment to strengthen Panchayati Raj and to take development activities to grass root level. Knowledge and support of Engineering would further empowered the panchayat members and make them more responsible. They would be able to monitor the projects more effectively, he added. The minister announced that his ministry is going to set up about 200 rural business centers in next two years for marketing rural products not only in country but abroad also in collaboration with business houses.
NCJ:CP:MOU10.10
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