Uttar Pradesh’s Panchayati Raj department on Wednesday launched a Leadership and Management Training Programme for Panchayat representatives.As part of this initiative to enhance local governance, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the department and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.The MoU was signed in the presence of Panchayati Raj minister Om Prakash Rajbhar, principal secretary Anil Singh, and director of panchayati raj Amit Kumar Singh, with the primary objective of combining essential leadership qualities and management skills that aid local development.“I am pleased that our Panchayat representatives, who earlier had to go to other states for such training, will now receive the same high-quality training within Uttar Pradesh itself. This will ensure their meaningful participation in the state’s development,” said Om Prakash Rajbhar.Principal Secretary Shri Anil Singh added, “The core objective of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is to build capacities of Panchayat representatives. Through this initiative, we aim to provide them with training from top institutions like IIT Kanpur, enabling them to benefit from world-class expertise.”As part of the initiative, IIT Kanpur will conduct an intensive 5-day programme aimed at benefiting around 500 panchayat representatives across Uttar Pradesh. The curriculum will cover five core modules: Good Governance and Leadership Development, Planning and Resource Management, Digital Tools and E-Governance, Financial Management and Budgeting, and Community Participation and Conflict Resolution.Participants will receive certificates upon completion of the training by IIT Kanpur. “We are delighted to be part of this impactful initiative. Post-training, these representatives will be well-equipped to make significant contributions in areas such as financial management and good governance,” said Tarun Gupta, a professor from IIT Kanpur.“Training from reputed institutions like IIT Kanpur will help our Panchayat members develop leadership qualities and adopt modern technology effectively, thereby playing a vital role in the development of their villages, blocks, and districts,” stressed director Amit Kumar Singh.