In a significant move to bolster grassroots administration, the Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIM-V) has joined hands with the Andhra Pradesh government for the first time. This pioneering collaboration aims to train 500 gazetted officers from the state's Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department.
A Program for Modern Rural Leadership
The initiative, titled the 'Leadership and Management Development Training Programme,' was officially launched on Monday, December 1. Its core mission is to arm participants with advanced leadership capabilities, contemporary governance practices, and crucial digital tool proficiency. The goal is to enable more efficient local administration, encourage participatory decision-making, and drive sustainable development in rural areas.
Professor M. Chandrasekhar, Director of IIM Visakhapatnam, explained that the curriculum is a balanced blend of foundational knowledge, hands-on practical skills, and digital literacy, all designed to significantly strengthen governance capabilities at the local level.
Curriculum: From Constitutional Principles to Digital Platforms
The training begins by grounding officers in the principles of local self-governance, including the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, the devolution of powers, and the broader vision of Panchayati Raj. To illustrate effective leadership, the program uses case studies focusing on transformational and transactional leadership styles.
Key administrative modules cover essential areas like planning, budgeting, and financial management for Panchayats, addressing grants, revenue sources, and efficient budget utilization. A major thrust of the program is on digital governance. Officers receive hands-on exposure to a suite of government platforms, including:
- e-Gram Swaraj for Panchayat planning and accounting
- Gram Manchitra for spatial planning
- SVAMITVA for property rights documentation
- ServicePlus for service delivery
- BharatNet for broadband connectivity
- Various Management Information System (MIS) tools
This digital focus aims to enhance transparency and streamline service delivery. Beyond administration, officers will also develop soft skills in communication, dispute resolution, and stakeholder engagement. The program further includes vital modules on public health, education, sanitation, water management, climate-resilient planning, disaster readiness, and promoting renewable energy. Each participant will conclude the training by developing a six-month leadership action plan to implement their learnings.
Inaugural Cohort and Official Endorsements
The program commenced with its first batch of 50 officers drawn from mandal, division, and district-level administrations. The inaugural event saw participation from senior officials including Shashi Bhushan, Principal Secretary (PR & RD); Mutyalaraju Revu, Commissioner of APSIRDPR; VR Krishna Teja Mylavarapu, Commissioner of Panchayat Raj; and M. Sudhakar Rao, Additional Commissioner (PR). Professors Vijaya Marisetty and Kalyan Kolakuluri are serving as the program directors.
Officials Mutyalaraju and Krishna Teja noted that the diverse mix of participants from various administrative tiers would foster rich, collaborative learning. In his inaugural address, Principal Secretary Shashi Bhushan highlighted the critical role of local bodies as the primary face of democracy, directly responsible for delivering essential services like MGNREGA, rural roads, and water supply. He emphasized that this training goes beyond merely understanding scheme guidelines; it is fundamentally about fostering greater involvement, nurturing leadership, and driving innovation at the grassroots level.
This landmark partnership between a premier national management institute and the state government marks a proactive step towards building a more capable, digitally-savvy, and responsive administrative framework for Andhra Pradesh's rural development.
