Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Launched

[GS Paper 2 – Government Policies and Interventions]

The Union Cabinet approved a financial outlay of Rs 5911 crore for the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.

The Abhiyan aims at helping 2.78 lakh rural local bodies achieve sustainable development goals.

Key Developments

• The cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave its nod to the revamped RGSA that will help improve Panchayati Raj Institutions and ensure development in villages, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur told reporters.

• The scheme has now been extended till 2025-26, he said, adding that it will be extended to all states and union territories.

• Of the total outlay of Rs. 5911 crore, the center’s share is Rs. 3,700 crores and that of the states is Rs. 2211 crore.

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)

• It was launched on 24th April 2018 under the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. This centrally sponsored scheme is an effort in the direction of achieving “Sabka Sath, Sabka Gaon, Sabka Vikas”.

• The scheme was launched for the development and strengthening of the Panchayati Raj system across India and rural areas.

• 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.

• Objectives of the scheme include:

1. To enhance the panchayat’s capabilities for inclusive local governance. With a focus on optimum utilization of available resources and convergence with other schemes to address issues of national importance.

2. To Develop governance capabilities of PRIs to deliver on the SDGs

3. Strengthening of Gram Sabha’s function effectively.

4. Promotion of devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayat as per the constitution and PESA Act 1996.

5. To develop a network of institutions of excellence to support capacity building and hand holding for PRIs.

6. To strengthen institutions for capacity enhancement of PRIs at various levels and enable them to achieve adequate quality standards in infrastructure, facilities, Human resources, and outcome-based training.

7. Promotion of E-governance and other technology-driven solutions to enable good governance in Panchayat for administrative efficiency and improved service delivery.

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