Parliamentary Panel Criticises NIRDPR Disengagement Move
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayat Raj has sharply criticised the Union government’s decision to disengage the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (NIRDPR). The move affects the Hyderabad-based institute that has served rural development for over seventy years. The panel’s 10th report, presented in Parliament in July 2025, marks concerns over the impact of this decision on rural policy, research, and training.
Background of NIRDPR
NIRDPR is a premier autonomous institution under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). It specialises in capacity building for rural development officials, elected representatives, financial bodies, and community organisations. Over decades, it has gained global recognition for research, training, and policy support in rural governance and development.
Concerns Raised by the Parliamentary Panel
The committee led by Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka argued that disengaging NIRDPR from MoRD is not a mere administrative change but a fundamental shift away from national priorities. The panel warned this move could weaken the quality of long-term rural development research and training. It would divert the institute’s focus towards short-term consultancies and sever its intellectual link with the rural development ecosystem.
Impact on Institutional Credibility and Finances
The committee expressed that disengagement would undermine government credibility in policymaking. It would not reduce expenditure but transfer costs to other agencies with unrelated mandates. This would increase oversight burdens on MoRD officers. Financial instability could force NIRDPR to distance itself from flagship rural development schemes, affecting programme support.
Governance and Administrative Issues
The report criticised the lack of internal review and external validation of the disengagement plan. It attributed poor infrastructure maintenance to cost-cutting, leading to declining training quality and reduced brand value. Faculty morale is reportedly at a low due to unresolved vigilance cases, ad hoc transfers, delayed promotions, and lack of leadership trust. The panel stated the current administration has paralysed the institute over four years.
Recommendations by the Parliamentary Committee
The panel recommended stronger collaboration between MoRD and NIRDPR through structural reforms and decentralised decision-making. It called for adequate budgetary grants and greater autonomy within the MoRD framework. The committee urged MoRD to lead a strategic plan to halt disengagement. It also suggested immediate review and replacement of the current administration to restore faculty trust and organisational coherence. A MoRD-led oversight committee was proposed to manage administrative and governance issues. The government grant to NIRDPR should continue during this period.
Significance for Rural Development
NIRDPR has played important role in shaping rural policies and building capacities at multiple levels. Its disengagement could disrupt ongoing programmes and weaken institutional support for rural development. The parliamentary panel’s report marks the need to protect and strengthen such centres of excellence to sustain rural growth and governance.
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