Govt. approves continuation of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan till 2026
Recently the Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) till the year 2026.
- Revised Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) has been extended for a period of five years. This campaign will continue till the tenure of the 15th Finance Commission.
- RGSA is a centrally sponsored scheme. Its objective is to develop the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PROs).
- This scheme is being implemented in all the states and union territories of the country. The scheme also covers rural local government institutions in areas outside Part X of the Constitution of India, where Panchayats do not exist.
- No permanent post will be created under this scheme. But, provision of human resource can be made subject to an agreement on need basis.
Salient Features of the Scheme
- Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan was launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the year 2016-17. The Union Cabinet had approved to implement it from the financial year 2018-19 to the financial year 2021-22.
- The scheme enables Panchayats to work effectively to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the same time, it also contributes to the achievement of other development objectives that require significant capacity building efforts.
The funding of the scheme will be as follows-
- The ratio of center to state in states is 60:40,
- In North-East and hill states: the ratio of center to state is 90:10 and
- In all Union Territories: 100% (by the Central Government).
Scheme achievements so far:
- Panchayats have been encouraged,
- Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayat has been started,
- Training on e-Gram Swaraj has been promoted,
- About 1.36 crore elected representatives, office bearers and other stakeholders have received different types of training etc.
Note: Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is different from Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (Extended) of Ministry of Rural Development. The Gram Swaraj Abhiyan of the Ministry of Rural Development aims to change the way the government delivers services.
Source – The Hindu
