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India Gazette
26-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 portal launched
New Delhi [India], May 26 (ANI): The two-day National Writeshop on Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Version 2.0 for FY 2023-24 commenced on Monday at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi in the presence of Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, an official statement said. Other officials present in the event were Saurabh Garg, Secretary, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI); Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog. 'During the inaugural, the PAI 2.0 Portal was launched. Local Indicator Framework (LIF) Booklet for FY 2023-24 along with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was also released on this occasion,' read a statement from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. Delivering the inaugural address Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj emphasized upon the transformational potential of the Panchayat Advancement Index in enabling Panchayats to systematically assess and improve their performance across key areas of governance and service delivery. Referring to the vision of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks, he said, 'We must now take that spirit forward in our Panchayats. When we record accurate data, we do not merely count; we contribute to the nation's transformation'. He highlighted that the PAI is not just a data collection tool but a mechanism to institutionalize transparent, accountable and performance-based Panchayat-level governance. He urged the ground functionaries to enter accurate data on the PAI portal 2.0 that will give a comprehensive view for holistic development of India. 'PAI data serves as the bedrock for equitable development, transparency, and participatory governance,' he added. He called upon all Gram Panchayats to display their PAI scorecards prominently at GP Bhawans to promote public participation and local accountability. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, in his keynote remarks, commended the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for building a strong evidence-based platform aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that 'India's SDG data availability has risen from 55% to nearly 95% in the last five years. PAI 2.0 embodies the spirit of 'Measure what we treasure and treasure what we measure'.' He highlighted how the PAI framework, through improved standardisation, harmonisation and visualisation, advances the national goal of inclusive, outcome-oriented governance. He stated that PAI will become the basis for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat through 'Sabka Prayas' based on the bottom-up participatory approach for development and serve as a benchmark for many other indicators that help in measuring India's progress. Rajib Kumar Sen, Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, observed that PAI 2.0 is a powerful bridge connecting local efforts to national and global commitments. He stated that it complements the SDG India Index and enhances India's readiness for future Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at global forums. He appreciated the thoughtful design of PAI 2.0 and its relevance for enabling local institutions to evaluate the real-time impact of various schemes. Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, stated that the National Writeshop reflects the government's commitment to institutionalizing data-backed and evidence-based planning and monitoring in Panchayats. He emphasized that 'PAI 2.0 equips Panchayats with practical tools to assess their own progress, identify gaps, and plan meaningfully. It encourages a culture of healthy competition and continuous improvement.' PAI is a multidimensional assessment framework developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to enable performance tracking of over 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats across nine themes aligned with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). While PAI Version 1.0 served as the baseline and covered data from 2.16 lakh Gram Panchayats across 29 States/UTs, PAI Version 2.0 represents a major leap forward in functionality, efficiency, and usability. The transition from PAI 1.0 to 2.0 reflects a focused refinement of the framework, with a sharper and more practical set of indicators and data points to improve usability and reliability while retaining thematic comprehensiveness. The revised framework not only reduces the reporting burden but also improves data quality and reliability. The nine LSDG-aligned themes include: Poverty-free and Enhanced Livelihoods Panchayat, Healthy Panchayat, Child-Friendly Panchayat, Water-Sufficient Panchayat, Clean and Green Panchayat, Panchayat with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure, Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat, Panchayat with Good Governance, and Women-Friendly Panchayat. This Writeshop includes live demonstrations, technical walkthroughs, and hands-on exercises on portal configuration, data flow and validation. Day two will feature presentations from States and UTs on field experiences from PAI 1.0 and how they plan to utilize PAI 2.0 to enhance local planning and governance. It has brought together over 250 participants from 32 States/UTs, senior officials from relevant Ministries/Departments, representatives from Panchayati Raj Departments /Institutions/ SIRD&PRs of States/UTs, and technical and knowledge partners including NITI Aayog, MoSPI, National Informatics Centre (NIC), UNICEF, UNFPA, Transform Rural India (TRI), and the Piramal Foundation. (ANI)
Hans India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India's 'SVAMITVA' scheme in focus at World Bank Land Conference in US
New Delhi: India took centre-stage at the prestigious 'World Bank Land Conference 2025' in Washington, DC, reaffirming the country's global leadership in inclusive land governance and grassroots empowerment. Participating as a 'Country Champion' in the plenary session, Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, articulated India's leadership in land rights, tenure reforms, and technology-driven spatial planning, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj said in a statement on Wednesday. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's pioneering 'SVAMITVA' scheme (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) has emerged as a transformational initiative in rural land governance. Bhardwaj emphasised that India has surveyed 68,000 square kilometres of rural land under 'SVAMITVA', unlocking $1.16 trillion worth of assets, thereby offering millions of rural families legal title, dignity, and access to credit and opportunity. Through anecdotes of individuals like a dairy farmer in Madhya Pradesh who expanded his business, or a mother in Rajasthan who funded her daughter's overseas education, he highlighted how land ownership is being converted into real empowerment. Bharadwaj shared deep insights into the scheme's journey -- beginning with onboarding states, amending state laws and survey rules, and establishing critical technological infrastructure like Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) to enable accurate drone-based mapping. He explained how India's federal structure requires strategic cooperation, coordination, and community involvement to drive reforms on a national scale. The special event, scheduled for Wednesday (US time) and titled 'Securing Land Rights for a Billion People,' was set to further amplify India's model of inclusive and technology-driven land governance. Led by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the session will open with welcome and opening remarks by Dr Klaus W. Deininger, Lead Economist, World Bank, followed by an introduction by Somik V Lall, Senior Advisor, DECVP, World Bank. The event will spotlight the design, impact, and scalability of the 'SVAMITVA' scheme, with presentation by Vivek Bharadwaj. An interactive Q&A session will follow, reflecting the growing global interest in India's transformative approach to rural land governance. The side event will be attended by all delegates of the 'World Bank Land Conference 2025', including advisors and senior advisors to seven executive directors representing regions across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Central Asia, South Asia, and South East Asia, offering a valuable opportunity for cross-regional dialogue and exchange. The event will provide a focused platform to discuss the implementation methodology and transformative benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme with countries that share similar land administration systems. The objective is to explore avenues for collaboration, enabling the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to support and partner with these nations in adopting and adapting similar models in their respective contexts. On Thursday, the focus will be on 'Gram Manchitra' (India's advanced GIS-based spatial planning platform). Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will present how the platform is facilitating spatially informed decision-making at the Panchayat level, showcasing the integration of cutting-edge technology with grassroots governance to foster sustainable, resilient, and self-reliant villages. Through its presence at the 'World Bank Land Conference 2025', India has been positioned as a global thought leader in land tenure reforms, rural development, and inclusive governance demonstrating that a data-driven, people-centric approach can effectively bridge centuries-old land insecurity and usher in a new era of legal recognition, dignity, and prosperity for rural citizens.
The Print
04-05-2025
- Business
- The Print
India set to lead global land reform talks at World Bank headquarters
Led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and comprising of Joint Secretary, MoPR Alok Prem Nagar, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India Shailesh Kumar Sinha, along with senior officials from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the delegation will present its flagship SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme at two key sessions during the upcoming international forum on land governance. New Delhi [India], May 4 (ANI): A high-level Indian delegation is set to present its SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, taking place from May 5-8 at the World Bank Headquarters in the US capital of Washington DC, the Panchayati Raj Ministry said in a statement Sunday. This year's World Bank Land Conference, themed 'Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action', will bring together global leaders, policymakers, experts and development partners to explore strategies for securing land tenure, modernising land administration for sustainable development and climate-responsive governance. Under India's flagship SVAMITVA Scheme that provides legal ownership of rural properties using drones and geospatial technology, property cards to over 24.4 million households across 1.6 lakh villages have been issued, mapping over 100 million property parcels and unlocking an estimated USD 1.162 trillion (approximately 100 crores) in land value. India will play a key role at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, wherein the SVAMITVA Scheme will be spotlighted as a transformative model of rural empowerment through drone mapping, high-accuracy geospatial data, and platforms like Gram Manchitra for climate-aligned planning. With applications in tax administration, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, SVAMITVA exemplifies inclusive, tech-driven governance. India's leadership in digital land reforms and its commitment to South-South collaboration will be central to the global dialogue on scalable and people-centric land solutions. The conference agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, regional workshops, thematic exchanges, and an innovation expo, all focused on accelerating secure land access, modernising land administration systems, and driving climate-responsive governance. Sessions will highlight best practices, operational strategies, and cutting-edge research on scaling up land tenure reforms, promoting the use of geospatial technologies, and building resilience in the face of climate challenges. Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj, will represent India as a Country Champion in the Plenary Session on 'Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform' wherein SVAMITVA Scheme's impact on rural property rights, women's empowerment, and dispute resolution, contributing to global discussions on SDG Target 1.4.2 (Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, (a) with legally recognized documentation, and (b) who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure) will be discussed. Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will lead a Technical Session on 'Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management' wherein India's Gram Manchitra platform, which utilizes SVAMITVA's high-resolution spatial data to support village-level planning, solar energy site selection, disaster mitigation and rural development will be showcased. India's participation in the 2025 World Bank Land Conference marks a significant milestone in global rural land governance. In March 2025, India hosted a six-day International Workshop on Land Governance with delegates from 22 countries, where SVAMITVA drew strong interest for its digital mapping and geospatial approach, with several nations expressing intent to collaborate. (ANI) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Hans India
04-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
India set to lead World Bank's global land reform talks in Washington
A high-level Indian delegation is set to present its transformative SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, taking place from May 5 to 8 at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, according to an official statement issued on Sunday. Led by Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj, and comprising of Joint Secretary, MoPR, Alok Prem Nagar, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India Shailesh Kumar Sinha, the delegation will present its flagship SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme at two key sessions during the upcoming international forum on land governance. This year's World Bank Land Conference, themed "Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action", will bring together global leaders, policymakers, experts and development partners to explore strategies for securing land tenure, modernising land administration for sustainable development and climate-responsive governance, the statement said. Under India's flagship SVAMITVA Scheme that provides legal ownership of rural properties using drones and geospatial technology, property cards to over 24.4 million households across 1.6 lakh villages have been issued, mapping over 100 million property parcels and unlocking an estimated $1.162 trillion (approx Rs 100 crore) in land value. India will play a key role at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, wherein the SVAMITVA Scheme will be spotlighted as a transformative model of rural empowerment through drone mapping, high-accuracy geospatial data, and platforms like Gram Manchitra for climate-aligned planning. With applications in tax administration, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, SVAMITVA exemplifies inclusive, tech-driven governance. India's leadership in digital land reforms and its commitment to South-South collaboration will be central to the global dialogue on scalable and people-centric land solutions. The conference agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, regional workshops, thematic exchanges, and an innovation expo, all focused on accelerating secure land access, modernising land administration systems, and driving climate-responsive governance. Sessions will highlight best practices, operational strategies, and cutting-edge research to scale up reforms in land tenure, promote the use of geospatial technologies, and build resilience in the face of climate challenges. The Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will represent India as a Country Champion in the Plenary Session on "Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform", wherein the SVAMITVA Scheme's impact on rural property rights, women's empowerment, and dispute resolution, will be shared, contributing to global discussions on SDG Target. Joint Secretary Nagar will lead a Technical Session on "Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management", wherein India's Gram Manchitra platform, which utilises SVAMITVA's high-resolution spatial data to support village-level planning, solar energy site selection, disaster mitigation and rural development will be showcased.
Times of Oman
04-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
India set to lead global land reform talks at World Bank headquarters
New Delhi: A high-level Indian delegation is set to present its SVAMITVA Scheme and Gram Manchitra platform at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, taking place from May 5-8 at the World Bank Headquarters in the US capital of Washington DC, the Panchayati Raj Ministry said in a statement Sunday. Led by Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and comprising of Joint Secretary, MoPR Alok Prem Nagar, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India Shailesh Kumar Sinha, along with senior officials from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, the delegation will present its flagship SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme at two key sessions during the upcoming international forum on land governance. This year's World Bank Land Conference, themed "Securing Land Tenure and Access for Climate Action: Moving from Awareness to Action", will bring together global leaders, policymakers, experts and development partners to explore strategies for securing land tenure, modernising land administration for sustainable development and climate-responsive governance. Under India's flagship SVAMITVA Scheme that provides legal ownership of rural properties using drones and geospatial technology, property cards to over 24.4 million households across 1.6 lakh villages have been issued, mapping over 100 million property parcels and unlocking an estimated USD 1.162 trillion (approximately 100 crores) in land value. India will play a key role at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, wherein the SVAMITVA Scheme will be spotlighted as a transformative model of rural empowerment through drone mapping, high-accuracy geospatial data, and platforms like Gram Manchitra for climate-aligned planning. With applications in tax administration, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness, SVAMITVA exemplifies inclusive, tech-driven governance. India's leadership in digital land reforms and its commitment to South-South collaboration will be central to the global dialogue on scalable and people-centric land solutions. The conference agenda includes high-level plenary sessions, regional workshops, thematic exchanges, and an innovation expo, all focused on accelerating secure land access, modernising land administration systems, and driving climate-responsive governance. Sessions will highlight best practices, operational strategies, and cutting-edge research on scaling up land tenure reforms, promoting the use of geospatial technologies, and building resilience in the face of climate challenges. Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj Vivek Bharadwaj, will represent India as a Country Champion in the Plenary Session on "Good Practices and Challenges in Land Tenure and Governance Reform" wherein SVAMITVA Scheme's impact on rural property rights, women's empowerment, and dispute resolution, contributing to global discussions on SDG Target 1.4.2 (Proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land, (a) with legally recognized documentation, and (b) who perceive their rights to land as secure, by sex and type of tenure) will be discussed. Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, will lead a Technical Session on "Establishing the Land Foundation for Climate Action and Disaster Risk Management" wherein India's Gram Manchitra platform, which utilizes SVAMITVA's high-resolution spatial data to support village-level planning, solar energy site selection, disaster mitigation and rural development will be showcased. India's participation in the 2025 World Bank Land Conference marks a significant milestone in global rural land governance. In March 2025, India hosted a six-day International Workshop on Land Governance with delegates from 22 countries, where SVAMITVA drew strong interest for its digital mapping and geospatial approach, with several nations expressing intent to collaborate.
