Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan

Why is in news? Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) approved for the implementation from financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) approved for the implementation from financial year 2022-23 to 2025-26 for capacity building of elected representative of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

The primary objective of Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayats to deliver on SDGs which covered within the purview of Panchayats.

For effective implementation of the scheme, utilization of funds is closely monitored with the States through meetings, video-conferences, PFMS etc.

In addition to this, Training Management Portal (TMP) is in place to monitor real time trainings conducted by States/ UTs under the scheme. There is no case reported in the Ministry regarding misuse of the funds.

About the scheme:

Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was launched on 24th April 2018 as an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India.

It is a unique scheme proposed to develop and strengthen the Panchayati Raj System across India in the rural areas.

Objectives of RGSA:

Develop governance capabilities of PRIs to deliver on the SDGs.

Enhance capabilities of Panchayats for inclusive local governance with focus on optimum utilization of available resources and convergence with other schemes to address issues of national importance.

Enhance capabilities of Panchayats to raise their own sources of revenue.

Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people’s participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system.

Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act 1996.

Develop a network of institutions of excellence to support capacity building and handholding for PRIs.

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.

Promote e-governance and other technology driven solutions to enable good governance in Panchayats for administrative efficiency and improved service delivery.

Recognize and incentivize PRIs based on performance

Expected outcomes of RGSA:

Enhanced capabilities of Panchayats for good governance and attainment of SDGs through participatory local planning, democratic decisionmaking, transparency and accountability.

Increased use of e-governance and technology driven solutions at the Panchayat level to attain administrative efficiency, improved service delivery & greater accountability.

Building Institutional structure for capacity building at the National, State & District levels with adequate infrastructure, facilities and human resources.