ZIRO : The Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, on Friday organised a one-day West Zone Orientation Programme in Ziro on the implementation of the 16th Finance Commission (FC-XVI) grants and key rural development initiatives.

The programme focused on the operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance for Rural Local Bodies during the 2026-27 to 2030-31 award period.

Attending the inaugural session, Ziro MLA Hage Appa urged officials to maintain transparency, accountability and effective coordination to ensure optimal utilisation of central grants for rural development.

Earlier, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme welcomed the dignitaries, resource persons and delegates from across the western districts, while Lower Subansiri Zilla Parishad Chairperson Hibu Dumi highlighted the importance of strengthening grassroots governance and empowering local administrative institutions.

The orientation brought together District Panchayat Development Officers (DPDOs), Panchayat Training Associates-cum-District Nodal Officers and technical personnel from 11 western districts.

Resource persons conducted technical sessions on Statement of Revenue and Own Source Revenue (SOR and OSR), convergence of the 15th and 16th Finance Commission grants, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), VB-RAM-G, and the operational use of the SECURE digital portal.

The programme marked the first phase of a statewide capacity-building initiative. Similar orientation programmes are scheduled to be held for the Central Zone in Pasighat on July 28 and the East Zone in Changlang on August 3.