Bengal’s Panchayat Representatives Set for Training at IIT, IIM as TMC Govt Aims for ‘Corruption-Free’ Image – News18

The elected representatives of Bengal’s panchayats are ready for a new role as they turn students at one of India’s best management schools — IIM.

The Bengal Panchayat Department has tied up with IIM Calcutta and IIT Kharagpur to train the elected representatives in public management.

On September 20, IIM Calcutta received its first batch of panchayat representatives who will undergo training for five days.

Speaking to News18, panchayat secretary P Ulaganathan said: “Management is a very important skill at their level as they are managing people on the ground. Therefore, we planned this. We have tied up with IIM and IIT Kharagpur and other institutions where the representatives will be trained on managing the public. Practical issues such as lack of documents, handling income tax among other things will be taught to them. We believe this will help them a lot and are getting a huge response.”

Sources said rural empowerment is key in today’s scenario and the initiative was taken to train people at the grassroots level and help them develop expertise.

Panchayat minister Pradip Majumdar, who came for the first day of training, said: “People known for managing the world’s best companies will train the representatives. This will help common people get better services.”

As per information, 51 types of trainings will be given under five categories to more than one lakh panchayat representatives.

The training module will include case studies, practical examples of problems and their solution. The emphasis will be on maintaining close liaison with departments and field visits will be encouraged.

Sources said the Trinamool Congress government wants to project a clean, corruption-free model amid opposition allegations that such initiatives will not help stem graft.