Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

• 14 Apr 2022

For Prelims: Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For Mains: Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), 15th Finance Commission, Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayat, E-governance, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Why in News?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved continuation of the revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for implementation during the period from 1^st April 2022 to 31^st March 2026 .

• The scheme is now co-terminus with the 15^th Finance Commission period.
• The scheme is aimed to develop governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

What is Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)?

• Background: The scheme was first approved by the Cabinet in 2018 for implementation from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Components: The main Central Components were Incentivisation of Panchayats and Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayat including other activities at Central level.
  • The State component primarily includes Capacity Building & Training (CB&T) activities, institutional mechanisms for CB&T along with other activities at a limited scale.
• Objectives: It envisaged developing governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • The key principles of SDGs, i.e. leaving no one behind, reaching the farthest first and universal coverage, along with gender equality will be embedded in the design of all capacity building interventions including training, training modules and materials.
  • Priority will be given to subjects of national importance principally under themes, namely:
    • Poverty free and enhanced livelihood in villages
    • Healthy Village
    • Child Friendly Village
    • Water Sufficient Village
    • Clean and Green Village
    • Self-Sufficient Infrastructure in Village
    • Socially Secured Village
    • Village with Good Governance
    • Engendered Development in Village.
• Funding Pattern: The revamped RGSA will comprise Central and State components. The Central Components of the scheme will be fully funded by the Government of India.
  • The funding pattern for State Components will be in the ratio of 60:40 among Centre and States respectively, except NE, Hilly States and Union Territory (UT) of J&K where Central and State share will be 90:10.
  • However, for other UTs, Central share will be 100%.
• Vision: It is an effort in the direction of achieving “Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas”.
• Significance:
  • Socio-Economic Justice: As panchayats have representation of Schedule Castes, Schedule Tribes and women, and are institutions closest to the grassroots, strengthening panchayats will promote equity and inclusiveness, along with social justice and economic development of the community.
  • Improved Public Service Delivery: Increased use of e-governance by PRIs will help achieve improved service delivery and transparency.
  • Developing PRI: It will establish the institutional structure for capacity building of PRIs at the national, state and district level with adequate human resources and infrastructure.
• Beneficiaries: The approved scheme of RGSA will help more than 2.78 lakh Rural Local Bodies.
  • Around 60 lakh elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of rural local bodies, including traditional bodies, across the country will be direct beneficiaries of the scheme.
• Scale: This scheme extends to all States and UTs of the country and will also include institutions of rural local government in non-Part IX areas, where Panchayats do not exist.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q. The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? (2015)

1. People’s participation in development
2. Political accountability
3. Democratic decentralization
4. Financial mobilization

Select the correct answer using the code given below

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (c)

Exp:

• The most fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure people’s participation in development and democratic decentralization.
• Establishment of Panchayati Raj Institutions does not automatically lead to political accountability.
• Financial mobilization is not the fundamental objective of Panchayati Raj, although it seeks to transfer finances and resources to the grass root government

Source: IE