In the ever-evolving landscape of India’s rural development, one scheme that has been making waves is the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). However, recent trends reveal that participation in this program is not as robust as it could be. The Ministry of Rural Development reports that under Phase-4 of SAGY, only 252 Members of Parliament have adopted gram panchayats, despite the Houses having a total strength of nearly 790 members, including elected and nominated representatives.
Understanding Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana
Launched by the Prime Minister of India on the birth anniversary of Jai Prakash Narayan, 11th October 2014, SAGY aims to develop the socio-economic and physical infrastructure of rural villages. Under this Yojana, each Member of Parliament is tasked with developing three villages by 2019, and an additional five villages from 2019 to 2024, making a total of eight villages developed by each MP by 2024. This means that an expected total of 6,433 “Adarsh Grams” or Model Villages, out of the 2,65,000 gram panchayats, are to be established by 2024.
Gram Panchayat, which is a basic unit for development, can be chosen by a Lok Sabha MP from within their constituency, by a Rajya Sabha MP from the rural area of a district of his/her choice in the State where he/she is elected, and by Nominated MPs from the rural area of any district in the country.
Action Taken Under SAGY
The MPs engage with the community, facilitating the Village Development Plan and mobilising necessary resources, particularly from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and philanthropies. The planning process in each village is a participatory exercise coordinated by the District Collector. MPs can fill critical gaps in the plan using funds from the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs).
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| Phase | Number of MPs adopting gram panchayats |
|---|---|
| Phase-1 | 703 |
| Phase-2 | 497 |
| Phase-3 | 301 |
| Phase-4 | 252 |
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Analysis and Way Forward
Despite its ambitious goals, the scheme has been slow to take off. Since its launch, only 1,753 gram panchayats have been selected across four phases, which is below the anticipated figure. There has also been a gradual decline in the number of MPs adopting gram panchayats since Phase-1.
In the context of Lok Sabha, about two-thirds of MPs have not yet selected gram panchayats under Phase-4 of the scheme. The Lok Sabha has a total strength of 545 members, including 543 elected members and two nominated members from the anglo-Indian community.
There is a need for a greater sense of responsibility towards the scheme to ensure convergence and dovetailing of schemes and their proper implementation on priority. Moreover, the Ministry of Rural Development should ensure that SAGY villages are dealt with the vision outlined under the scheme and do not get left behind.
Jai Prakash Narayan: The Inspiration Behind SAGY
The driving spirit behind SAGY is Jai Prakash Narayan, popularly known as Lok Nayak. Born on 11th October 1902 in Uttar Pradesh, he was an influential political leader and theorist who made significant contributions to India’s fight for independence and its post-independence political landscape. He is also known for his role in the Civil Disobedience Movement against British rule in India and his call for a peaceful “total revolution” against corrupt political institutions in 1974.
Last Modified: February 7, 2024