Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan implementation from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026

LOK SABHA

RASHTRIYA GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN

392. DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR
        DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY
        SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR
        SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK
        SHRI BHOLA SINGH
        SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO
        SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJU BHAIYA)
        SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has proposed/extended the continuation of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan(RGSA) beyond 2022 to 2026;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of beneficiaries, financial and physical progress made under the RGSA so far, component and State-wise including Uttar Pradesh;

(d) whether the Government has made any evaluation of the RGSA and major impact of Abhiyan, if so, the details thereof, and

(e) the details of the other steps being taken by the Government for effective implementation of the RGSA; and

(f) the details of steps taken by the Government for strengthening the Panchayati Raj institutions for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

(SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) & (b) Yes Sir. Government has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) as Revamped RGSA on 13.04.2022 for implementation from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026 at a total cost of Rs.5911 crore including Central Share of Rs.3700 crore and State share of Rs.2211 crore. Every five years a majority of the newly Elected Representatives (ERs) elected as fresh entrants across the country. Hence, they need to be adequately capacitated along with other stakeholders of PRIs, which necessitated the continuation of the scheme.

(c) Under the RGSA scheme being implemented since 2018-19 to 2021-22, funds had been released to the States/ Union Territories for different activities meant for strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions viz Capacity Building & Training of Elected Representatives, Panchayat Functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats and Construction of Panchayat Bhawan, computers & peripherals on limited scale. Details of funds released under the scheme State-wise and Year-wise and participants trained so far are attached as Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.

(d) Third Party Evaluation of scheme had been done. The report of evaluation had appreciated the interventions made through the scheme of RGSA for enhancing the capabilities of Panchayats for good governance and attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through participatory local planning and recommended for further continuation. The recommendation contained in evaluation report suitably incorporated in the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped RGSA approved on 13.04.2022 for implementation from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026.

(e) For effective implementation of the scheme, utilisation of funds was closely monitored with the States through meetings, video-conferences etc. For release of funds to the States, the status of utilization of funds released earlier was also taken into account. In addition to this, an online monitoring and reporting system (MIS) for RGSA had been developed and operationlised. Transaction based PFMS has been introduced for release and tracking of funds under RGSA.

(f) Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been implementing Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) scheme which mandates to capacitate elected representatives and functionaries to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through participatory local planning at the Gram Panchayat level. Ministry has adopted thematic approach for the Localization of SDGs with nine themes integrating all 17 SDGs as per the recommendations of the Expert Group constituted by the Ministry. In furtherance to this, inter-ministerial consultations with the Nodal Ministries, regional workshops with States and consultative meeting with UN Agencies had been held to reinforce the collaborative endeavour for localizing SDGs through PRIs. Ministry is continuously working with the States and other stakeholders to take forward the LSDG at grossroot level.

Annexure I

Annex refer to in reply to Part (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 392 answered on 19/7/2022

State/UT-wise Funds Released under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)