Panchayats & Rural Development Department of the Government of West Bengal
is entrusted with the responsibility of constitution and framing policy related
to functioning of the rural local self-government, ie, the Panchayats, providing
administrative support to the three tier panchayat system as well as implementation
of various rural development programmes including the major poverty alleviation
programmes in the rural areas of the State. The Department also organizes community
action for participatory planning and development through the elected Panchayat
bodies at different levels. As per 2001 census, the population of rural West Bengal
is 577.34 lakhs out of a total state population of 802.21 lakhs with
density of population 904 per Sq Km, which is more than three times the national
average of 273 per Sq Km. The State has 18 districts, which are further divided
in to 341 Development Blocks. Administration of the Block Development Offices is
also one of the responsibilities of the department.
The Department of Panchayats & Rural Development aims at facilitating economic and
social development in the rural areas of the State and organize community action
in all development initiatives in the rural sector by utilising Central/State Sector
programmes. The thrust areas of the Department include the following :
Deepening and widening decentralisation through the Panchayat bodies
Training and capacity building of the Panchayat bodies for better governance
Promotion of wage employment for people living Below Poverty Line (BPL)
Organizing the rural poor in Self Help Groups for their socio-economic development
Augmenting livelihood opportunities for the rural population
Sustainable development of natural resources
Providing social security and safety nets to the disadvantaged and socially excluded
Improving the social and physical infrastructure in the rural areas
Improving service delivery in the field of elementary education and preventive health care in collaboration
with the respective departments of the state government