India, Mozambique discuss decentralized governance and digital transformation in PRIs
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
New Delhi: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) hosted an interactive session on Decentralized Governance & Public Administration for a high-level delegation from Mozambique. The session, led by Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR, and Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR, facilitated knowledge-sharing on India’s Panchayati Raj system and digital governance initiatives.
India’s Panchayati Raj system: A model for decentralization
During the session, Sushil Kumar Lohani provided an in-depth overview of India’s local self-governance framework, emphasizing the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which laid the foundation for decentralization. He highlighted the growing role of women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and how governance reforms in the past decade have transformed local administration.
Strengthening PRIs through digital governance
Alok Prem Nagar elaborated on the operational aspects of PRIs and the digital initiatives enhancing transparency and efficiency. Key topics discussed included:
e-Governance at the Panchayat level
Integration of e-GramSwaraj with Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
Citizen Charters for better governance
Finance Commission Grants and Own Source Revenue mobilization
Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural governance
Mozambique’s interest in India’s governance model
The Mozambique delegation, led by Prof. Benigna Zimba, Coordinator of the Commission of Reflection on the Model of Decentralization (CREMOD), engaged in discussions on governance reforms and best practices. They expressed keen interest in India’s digital transformation and capacity-building efforts, acknowledging their potential for Mozambique’s own decentralization strategy.
Looking ahead: Strengthening bilateral cooperation
The session served as a platform for mutual learning and collaboration, with both nations exploring opportunities to strengthen governance frameworks. The delegation, including Francisco Eliseu de Sousa, Flavio Mulamdo, Tuarique Abdala, and Orlando Rodolfo, emphasized their commitment to implementing India’s successful governance strategies in Mozambique’s administrative framework.
