Two days workshop on ‘role of media to strengthen the Panchayati Raj System in Manipur’ was organised today by All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) at the Classic Hotel, Imphal. The workshop is being sponsored by the Department of RD and PR, Government of Manipur.Attending the function as Chief Guest, Deputy Chief Minister, Gaikhangam said Panchayati Raj or grass root democratic set up is in dormant state and the need of the hour is to make it pro active. He said that lack of awareness among the people about the responsibilities of the elected members is the cause for the failure of Panchayati Raj. In order to bring a healthy level of development there is a need to bring a whole administrative reform. The functionaries, functional and financial are three important local bodies which need to be studied precisely in grass root level. He added that people must know that despite of having so many deficiencies financially the state government is working at its best. He further said that all the members of Panchayati Raj should know the inheritance power given by the constitution in order to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system in the state.Speaking on the occasion as a Special Guest, Prof. N. Mohendro, former member, steering committee NER, Vision 2020, Donor, Govt. of India said that the concept of Panchayati Raj system is a mere periphery from foundation to development. The Panchayati Raj system should be the foundation of development. He further said the role of media is information, communication and education and he also appealed to all the newspaper agencies to add a column about all the performance done by Panchayati raj to bring a transparency between the system and the people.
