June 23: In a landmark initiative to bolster financial self-reliance at the grassroots level, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme focused on “Generation of Own Source Revenue (OSR) by Gram Panchayats.” Held at the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, this three-day programme is being conducted under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) to equip Panchayats with the tools and strategies to become development-ready, financially resilient institutions.
Inaugurating the session, MoPR Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwaj emphasized that generating Own Source Revenue is more than a financial exercise—it reflects leadership, credibility, and institutional maturity. He urged master trainers from 16 participating States and UTs to take practical, community-driven strategies back to their regions. The broader goal is to promote Atmanirbhar Panchayats that operate with autonomy and accountability.
The curriculum, curated by IIM Ahmedabad faculty, blends theory with field-aligned practices and behavioural science insights. It covers topics like behavioural interventions for better tax collection, strategic OSR planning, digital tax solutions, revenue forecasting, and innovative financing mechanisms. Highlighting case studies from Odisha, Goa, Gujarat, and other regions, the programme showcases successful Panchayat-led revenue models that leverage local potential and citizen participation.
Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary at MoPR, outlined several forward-looking interventions, including the development of Model OSR Rules and a Digital Tax Collection Portal, tailored to local contexts. These are intended to streamline collection, boost transparency, and integrate village governance into the digital economy.
The first phase of training includes 65 master trainers, with a second round scheduled in July 2025. These master trainers will drive State-level implementation, ensuring the dissemination of knowledge and scalable results across India.
Described by Prof. Ranjan Kumar Ghosh of IIM Ahmedabad as a transformative step, the initiative reframes Panchayati Raj institutions as agents of proactive development, driven by local strength and fiscal independence. The MoPR-IIM Ahmedabad partnership thus sets a new benchmark in decentralized governance—equipping Gram Panchayats not just to function, but to flourish.
, in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad, launched a Training of Trainers (ToT) programme focused on “Generation of Own Source Revenue (OSR) by Gram Panchayats){kind=link}