Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report

Context

Recently, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has unveiled the first-ever Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report for the financial year 2022–23.

About Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)

• It is a composite Index & has been compiled based totally on 435 specific local Indicators (331 obligatory & 104 elective) including 566 particular facts points across 9 issues of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
• It reflects India’s dedication to achieving the SDG 2030 Agenda through participatory, backside-up development.
• It is aligned with the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• It is a collaborative attempt of various Union Ministries, State Governments and UN Agencies.

Key points in Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI)

• Infrastructure: Availability of simple amenities like roads, energy, water supply, sanitation centers, etc.
• Health and Education: Access to healthcare services, educational institutions, literacy fees, and enrollment in colleges.
• Economic Indicators: Income ranges, employment opportunities, agricultural productivity, and economic activities.
• Social Indicators: Poverty rates, gender equality, social inclusion, and overall quality of life.
• Governance and Administration: Efficiency and transparency of local governance, shipping of public services and citizen participation.
• Environmental Sustainability: Measures associated with ecological stability, conservation, and sustainable practices.

Key Features of the PAI  

• Localized SDG Themes: The PAI evaluates Panchayats throughout 9 subject matters, including poverty alleviation, health, child welfare, water sufficiency, environmental sustainability, infrastructure, social justice, right governance, and women’s empowerment.
• Performance Categories: Panchayats are categorised into five degrees based on their rankings:
  • Achiever (90+ points): None certified this year.
  • Front Runner (75–90 points): 699 Panchayats (0.3%).
  • Performer (60–75 points): seventy seven,298 Panchayats (35.8%).
  • Aspirant (40–60 points): 1,32,392 Panchayats (61.2%).
  • Beginner (below 40 points): 5,896 Panchayats (2.7%).
• Data Validation: Out of 2,55,699 Gram Panchayats, 2,16,285 submitted demonstrated statistics through the devoted PAI portal.

State-Level Insights

• Top Performers: Gujarat led with 346 Front Runner Panchayats, accompanied by Telangana with 270 Front Runners.
  • States like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh recorded high numbers of Performer Panchayats.
• Developmental Gaps: States which include Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh showed a larger share of Aspirant Panchayats, highlighting areas requiring targeted developmental efforts.

Purpose and Impact

• Evidence-Based Planning: The PAI fosters transparency and accountability, enabling policymakers to perceive developmental gaps and prioritize resource allocation.
• Empowering Panchayats: By supplying a standardized framework, the index empowers Panchayats to craft powerful development plans as per local needs.
• Commitment to SDGs: The initiative displays India’s willpower to attain the 2030 SDG Agenda through participatory, bottom-up development.  

Conclusion

• The rollout of the Panchayat Advancement Index Baseline Report marks a vast milestone in rural governance, bridging international SDG objectives with local realities.
• By promoting evidence-based planning and fostering opposition amongst Panchayats, the PAI is ready to convert grassroots development and empower rural communities across India.

Source: The HT

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing development projects? (2018)

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