Hyderabad, Sep 30 : Union Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister Giriraj Singh today emphasized that NIRDPR has to play a key role in strengthening the Self Help Groups (SHGs) by linking it to the Natural Resource Management activities.

The NIRDPR has to concentrate in increasing the present strength of 8 crore SHGs to a minimum of 10 crore SHGs in the coming days which can create an impact in increase in GDP from 1.5 per cent to 2 per cent.

In his Presidential address at the 64th General Council meeting of National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad through video conferencing, Mr Singh emphasised the need of developing the annual agri-budget for every gram panchayat, ensuring 17 SDGs of UN charter should be brought into the GPDP, promote the climate change concept and afforestation, water conservation resulting ‘Per drop more crop’ and focused attention on transformation of rural economy with transfer of new innovative and alternative technologies for adoption by rural community.

He stressed the urgency for developing the qualitative Social Audit in gender and with an emphasis on gender budgeting and responsiveness in particular to bring in the required impact on the rural development.

The Minister also stressed the human resource dividend as the focal point for the rural transformation.

Dr G Narendra Kumar, IAS, Director General, NIRDPR thanked the Union Minister and other members for their guidance while assuring to carry out the various suggestions offered during the deliberations and NIRDPR to play key role for transforming rural India true to the policies and objectives of the Government of India.

On this occasion, Mr Giriraj Singh launched the Hindi Website of NIRDPR and Kaushal Aapti 2.0 app for empowering of rural youth and connect them with the prospects of employment as per their aptitude, a release here said.(UNI)