Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) initiated an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India and was launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 24th April 2018 ‘National Panchayat Day’. As a scheme, RGSA is distinct and proposes to develop and strengthen the Panchayati Raj system in rural India.
The RGSA scheme seeks to enhance the capacities of institutions of rural local governance to be more responsive towards local development needs, prepare participatory plans using technology, and optimise the use of resources available to arrive at sustainable solutions to local issues relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
RGSA is intended to be implemented in a core Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) mode for a period of four years, 2018-19 to 2021-22, providing both State and Central share. The share for the State components shall be 60:40 for the States (except for NE and Hilly States) for which it will be in the ratio Central: State is 90:10.
Objectives
- Develop governance capacities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Improve capacities of Panchayats for inclusive local governance by optimally utilising available resources and convergence of other schemes to address issues of national importance.
- Improve the capacity of Panchayats to mobilise their own sources of revenue.
- Strengthen the Gram Sabha, so it can effectively operate as the basic forum of people’s participation, transparency and accountability of the Panchayat system.
- Advocate for devolved powers and responsibilities to the Panchayats as per 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.