Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

The Union Minister of State for Rural Development has briefed the Rajya Sabha on the government’s initiatives towards implementing the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), highlighting the various steps undertaken.

About

The scheme, initiated in 2014 on Jai Prakash Narayan’s birth anniversary, tasks Members of Parliament (MPs) with enhancing the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of three villages each by 2019 and eight villages each by 2024.
By 2016, MPs were to establish the first Adarsh Gram (Model Village) and two more by 2019.
Between 2019 and 2024, MPs must develop an additional five Adarsh Grams annually, totaling to one each year.
MPs have the autonomy to select a suitable Gram Panchayat for Adarsh Gram development, excluding their own village or that of their spouse.
The Ministry of Rural Development has compiled 127 Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored schemes, along with 1806 State Schemes for potential convergence under SAGY (Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana).

Process

Gram Panchayat (GP) is considered the fundamental unit for development at the grassroots level.
Lok Sabha MPs select a GP from their respective constituencies.
Rajya Sabha MPs select a GP from the rural area of any district within their State of election.
Nominated MPs have the flexibility to choose a GP from any rural area across the country.
MPs actively engage with the community to facilitate the formulation of Village Development Plans.
They mobilize resources, especially from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and philanthropic organizations, to support these plans.
MPs utilize the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds to address critical gaps in the development plan implementation.

Expected Outcomes of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Enhanced livelihood and employment prospects.
Mitigation of distress migration.
Eradication of bonded labor, child labor, and manual scavenging.
Achieving 100% registration of deaths and births.
Development of an alternate dispute resolution system embraced by all community segments.
Promotion of peace and harmony.
Setting a positive example for other Gram Panchayats.

Issues

Only 2,111 gram panchayats have been identified under the programme, with 1,618 having prepared their development plans.
Out of 79,316 planned activities, 49,756 have been completed in the selected villages.
Many Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana villages did not receive significant funds from MPs through MPLADS.
The lack of accountability and political will has hindered the implementation of SAGY, with field officials not fully embracing the concept.
Some villages declared as Adarsh Grams are yet to achieve Open Defecation Free status, indicating shortcomings in implementation.
Despite proactive efforts by some MPs, the scheme has not yielded significant observable impacts.
Limited convergence between MGNREGA and MPLAD in certain villages affects the effective utilization of resources.
Concerns have raised about the quality of rural roads constructed under state schemes and the maintenance of roads under PMGSY.

Way Forward

The vision driving the transformation of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana villages aimed to establish exemplary communities by effectively coordinating and implementing various schemes on a prioritized basis. However, the necessary dedication to realizing this goal appears to be lacking. It is imperative for Members of Parliament to exhibit greater accountability towards the scheme. SAGY emphasizes the involvement of the community and mobilization of its social resources, which can catalyze a series of additional development initiatives within

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