The Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Manipur has been functioning as nodal agency for proper functioning and implementation of various schemes of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has been endeavoring to make the Rural Local Bodies as vibrant institutions and to accelerate the pace of development in rural areas involving people’s participation. The Directorate plays a pivotal role in promoting rural development and strengthening local self-governance through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) established under the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. The Directorate operates with two-tier PRI system comprising Gram Panchayats at the village level and Zilla Parishads at the district level. There are 6 (six) Zilla Parishads and 161 Gram Panchayats in Manipur. There are 70 Block Development Offices in Manipur out of which 18(eighteen) are Community Development Block in the Valley Districts and 52(fifty-two) Tribal Development Blocks in the Hill Districts.

Key Functions and duties of the Directorate of RD&PR, Manipur:

Implementation of Rural Development Schemes: The Directorate is responsible for executing various central and state-sponsored rural development programs, aiming to enhance the quality of life in rural areas through the Block Development Offices.

Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions: It oversees the functioning of PRIs, ensuring they effectively participate in planning and implementing development activities, thereby promoting decentralized governance. ​

Capacity Building and Training: The Directorate organizes training programs to build the capacities of elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs, enabling them to perform their roles efficiently. ​

Monitoring and Evaluation: It monitors the progress of various rural development initiatives and evaluates their impact to ensure transparency and accountability in governance. ​

Policy Formulation and Planning: The Directorate contributes to the formulation of policies and plans related to rural development and local governance, aligning them with the needs of the rural populace. ​

Through these functions, the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Manipur aims to foster inclusive growth and empower rural communities by facilitating effective local self-governance and sustainable development.​