The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), an umbrella program of the Indian government’s Panchayati Raj Ministry, was introduced on April 24th, 2018. The Panchayati Raj System is being developed and strengthened throughout rural India under this innovative plan.
Background
The idea for Panchayati Raj (2011-2017) lays out the national-level strategy for enhancing the performance of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The Roadmap clearly outlines the concerns and particular action plans in the overall governance outline for developing empowerment, facilitation, and accountability for much better governance and speedier development, as well as the devolution of tasks, resources, and officials as provided for within the Constitution.
The RGSA program intends to improve rural governance institutions’ abilities to respond more quickly to local rural development needs, create participatory plans that use technology, and effectively use the resources at hand to realize long-term fixes for regional issues related to the SDGs.
Objectives of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
- Increase the efficacy and capacity of Gram Sabhas and Panchayats;
- Enable democratic decision-making, accountability, and involvement in Panchayats;
- Strengthen the institutional framework for Panchayat capacity growth and knowledge generation;
- Promote the devolution of authority to Panchayats following the PESA Act and the spirit of the Constitution;
- Make Gram Sabhas stronger so they may serve as the Panchayat system’s primary platform for public engagement, transparency, and accountability.
Significance of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
- The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is a unique program developed to advance the Panchayati Raj system throughout India, particularly in the rural arena.
- Its main goal is to promote rural India, which would benefit the nation.
- Training and support are needed to ensure that the newly elected Gram Panchayats can carry out their essential duties effectively.
- The plan is designed to support Panchayati Raj Institutions in achieving long-term objectives and accelerating rural development.
Beneficiaries of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
The program benefits around 60 lakh elected representatives, functionaries, and other stakeholders of India’s Rural Local Bodies across the country, along with Traditional Bodies.
Funding of The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) Scheme
- The Central Government and State Government have funded the Scheme at a 75% rate and 25% rate, respectively.
- The system of Panchayati Raj is strengthened nationwide through the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, which also addresses crucial loopholes impeding its performance.
- The reinforcement and development of the gram panchayats get a total of Rs. 655 crores, according to an announcement made by the honourable finance minister Shri Arun Jaitley in the Union Budget for 2016–17.
Implementation of The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA):
The gram panchayat heads are charged with several duties related to rural development, including keeping in contact with the government (state). RGSA scheme ensures that skill development instruction is provided to the gram panchayats. For the training and establishment of the gram panchayats at various levels, including the stories of the gram panchayat, block, and Zilla Parishad level, several capacity building and training facilities are established.
Progress Under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
- From the year 2018–19 to 2021–22, a total of Rs. 2364.13 Cr. was distributed to the States, UTs, Panchayats, and other various implementing institutions within the RGSA scheme, which includes incentives for panchayats and a mission mode project on e-Panchayat (as on 31.03.2022).
- The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), a centrally sponsored program, continues to be implemented from April 1st, 2022, and will do so until March 31st, 2026 (co-terminus with the period covered by the 15th Finance Commission), with the approval of the Cabinet Committee for the Economic Affairs, which is presided over by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, which considers the Gram Panchayats, returns to the Panchayati Raj System’s origins. This plan sheds light on an essential aspect of the governing system in various regions of the nation that have seen modernization and urbanization but were previously underdeveloped and neglected.
