Know Your DTC

The Society for Training & Research on Panchayats and Rural Development (STARPARD) was established during the financial year 1997–98 and registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1961 (Act No. XXVI of 1961) vide Registration No. S/86755 of 1997–98. The Society was initially headquartered at the premises of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Panchayats and Rural Development (BRAIPRD), Kalyani, Nadia (formerly the State Institute of Panchayats and Rural Development – SIPRD). It was constituted with the primary objective of promoting training, research, and institutional capacity building in the fields of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development.

Subsequently, STARPARD was reconstituted to further strengthen its institutional framework and expand its mandate in alignment with the evolving priorities of the Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. The registered office of the Society was accordingly shifted to the Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal. At present, the registered office is located at Joint Administrative Building, HC-7 (6th–10th Floors), Sector–III, Bidhannagar, Kolkata – 700106, while its administrative and operational office functions from Mrittika Bhavan, DD-18/9, Sector–I, Bidhannagar, Kolkata – 700064.

As the State's apex institution for Training and Research on Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, STARPARD is entrusted with the responsibility of designing, coordinating, and implementing capacity-building programmes for elected representatives, government officials, functionaries, and other stakeholders associated with rural local governance. The Society also undertakes research studies, develops training modules and resource materials, and facilitates knowledge management initiatives to strengthen decentralized governance and promote sustainable rural development.

Governance and Administration

STARPARD is governed by a Governing Body under the leadership of the Hon'ble Minister-in-Charge, Panchayats and Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal, who serves as the President of the Society and Chairperson of the Governing Body. The Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Panchayats and Rural Development Department functions as the Executive Vice-President of the Society and Executive Vice-Chairperson of the Governing Body, providing overall administrative leadership and policy guidance for the effective functioning of the Society.

District Panchayat Training & Resource Centre (DPTRC), Malda

The District Panchayat Training & Resource Centre (DPTRC), Malda is a premier district-level institution dedicated to strengthening the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Rural Local Bodies, and rural development functionaries. Functioning under the guidance of the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of West Bengal, the Centre serves as a dynamic hub for training, knowledge management, innovation, and institutional development.

DPTRC Malda is committed to enhancing the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of local self-governance through systematic capacity building and continuous professional development. The Centre designs and conducts a wide range of training programmes, workshops, orientation sessions, seminars, and exposure visits for elected representatives, government officials, field-level functionaries, and other stakeholders engaged in rural governance and development.

The Centre plays a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of flagship programmes and initiatives of both the Government of India and the Government of West Bengal by equipping stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and practical competencies required for efficient programme delivery. Special emphasis is placed on participatory planning, decentralized governance, financial management, social accountability, digital governance, natural resource management, sustainable rural livelihoods, and community empowerment.

Beyond training, DPTRC Malda functions as a resource and facilitation centre by promoting documentation of best practices, dissemination of knowledge, development of training materials, and fostering collaboration among government departments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners.

Equipped with modern training infrastructure, digital learning facilities, conference halls, library resources, and residential amenities, the Centre provides a conducive learning environment that encourages innovation, experience sharing, and continuous learning.

With a vision of building responsive, inclusive, transparent, and citizen-centric rural institutions, DPTRC Malda remains steadfast in its mission of empowering local governance through excellence in capacity building, knowledge dissemination, and institutional support, thereby contributing to sustainable rural development and the realization of the objectives of democratic decentralization.