Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was launched on 24th April 2018 'National Panchayat Day' by Hon'ble Prime Minister, 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.
The scheme of RGSA aims to strengthen capacities of institutions for rural local governance to become more responsive towards local development needs, prepare participatory plans leveraging technology and efficiently utilise available re-sources for realizing sustainable solutions to local problems linked to SDGs.
RGSA is proposed to be implemented as a core Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for four years viz., from 2018-19 to 2021-22 with State and Central shares. The sharing ratio for the State components will be in the ratio of 60:40 except NE and Hilly States where Central and State Ratio will be 90:10.
Objectives of RGSA
(i) Develop governance capabilities of PRIs to deliver on the SDGs.
a) 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.
b) Enhance capabilities of Panchayats to raise their own sources of revenue.
c) Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people's participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system.
d) Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act 1996.
e) Develop a network of institutions of excellence to support capacity building and handholding for PRIs.
f) 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.
g) Promote e-governance and other technology driven solutions to enable good governance in Panchayats for administrative efficiency and improved service delivery.
h) Recognize and incentivize PRIs based on performance
(ii) To ensure:
Basic orientation training for the Elected Representatives (ERs) of Panchayats, within 6 months of their election.
Use of IT for distance learning & for e-Enablement of Panchayats,
Institutional support for innovations,
Gap filling support of economic development & income enhancement.
Technical support including Human Resource (HR) based on identified gaps.
To provide handholding support by Academic Institutions/ Institutions of excellence to GPs for Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) formulation.
To promote provision of adequate manpower at GP level & to provide support for technical manpower.
To support greater e-enablement of Panchayats for e-governance to enhance efficiency and transparency with thrust on Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications developed by the Ministry.
To facilitate Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), Public Finance Management System (PFMS), use and Geo-tagging of assets in Gram Panchayats .
During 2021 the Ministry of Panchayayti Raj, Govt. of India approved the total Plan of Rs.832.00 Lakhs and earmarked Rs.748.80 Lakhs As Central Share (90%) and earmarked an amount of Rs.83.20 (10%) lakhs as State Matching Share. Through funds have not been sanctioned for the current financial year 2020-21, the Department has successfully conducted capacity building and training for the preparation of People's Plan Campaign 2020 on Gram Panchayat Development Plan 2021-22.
Panchayat Award 2020
(a) Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) Award:
Given to best performing Panchayats across the States/UTs in recognition of the good work done by PRIs at each level for improving delivery of services and public goods.
1. Okotso Village : Cash award of Rs. 8,00,000/- along with citation.
2. Kezoma Village : Cash award of Rs. 8,00,000/- along with citation.
(b) Child-friendly Gram Panchayat Award (CFGPA):
Given to best performing Gram Panchayats (one in each State/UT) for adopting childfriendly practices.
Given to Gram Panchayat which have developed their GPDPs according to the State/UT specific guidelines prepared in line with the model guidelines issued by MoPR. The award is to be given to give one GP in each State/UTs.
