Lucknow, Dec. 11 -- In a bid to strengthen evidence-based planning in rural Uttar Pradesh, chief secretary SP Goyal on Tuesday directed all departments to ensure accurate, error-free and timely data entry on the Panchayat Development Index (PDI) portal. He issued the instructions in a meeting of the State-Level Monitoring Committee on the National Panchayat Development Index. Goyal said the PDI has emerged as a crucial tool to assess the overall development performance of panchayats at both state and national levels. He stressed that data must be captured with complete precision so that gaps in development can be correctly identified and addressed through targeted interventions, along with fostering healthy competition among panchayats. He also instructed departments to expedite API integration from all data sources so the portal can auto-populate information, reducing dependence on repeated manual entries. Officials were informed that under the National Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), the PDI aims to identify rural disparities, track progress on SDGs, and guide policy for improved quality of life. Focus areas include poverty-free villages, improved livelihoods, child-friendly governance, water security, sanitation and green initiatives, women-friendly governance, and robust local infrastructure. High-performing gram panchayats will be recognised at the national level. htc...