The Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) is a rural development scheme launched by the Government of India on 1st April 1999. The scheme has been designed to improve the quality of life of the rural poor by providing them additional gainful employment opportunities. The JGSY is the restructured, streamlined and comprehensive version of the erstwhile Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY). In this article, we will explore the objectives and features of JGSY in detail.
Objectives of JGSY
The primary objectives of JGSY are to create demand-driven village infrastructure, including durable assets, to increase the opportunities for sustained employment and generate supplementary employment for the unemployed poor in rural areas. The scheme specifically targets people living in villages, especially those belonging to the SC/ST families living below the poverty line and physically handicapped persons.
Implementation of JGSY
JGSY is being implemented entirely at the village panchayat level, which is the local self-government body in rural India. The District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs)/Zila Parishads (ZPs) release the funds, including state matching share, directly to the village panchayats. The village panchayats are the sole authority for preparing the annual action plan and its implementation with the approval of Gram Sabha.
Funding and Expenditure
JGSY allocates 22.5% of the funds for individual beneficiary schemes for SCs/STs. Additionally, 3% of the annual allocation is utilized for creating barrier-free infrastructure for the disabled. The state government fixes wages under JGSY, and the village panchayats have the power to execute works/schemes up to Rs.50,000 with the approval of the Gram Sabha. For works/schemes costing more than Rs.50,000, the village panchayat must seek the technical/administrative approval of appropriate authorities.
The village panchayats are allowed to incur expenditure up to Rs.7,500 or 7.5% of funds, whichever is less, in a year on administrative expenditure/contingency and for taking technical consultancy. Additionally, 15% of funds can be spent on the maintenance of assets. The funds to the village panchayats are allocated on the basis of population without any ceiling of Rs.10,000 as at present.
Guidance and Monitoring
DRDA/ZP/Intermediate Panchayats are responsible for the overall guidance, coordination, supervision, monitoring and periodical reporting of JGSY. They ensure that the funds are utilized effectively, and the works are executed as per the approved action plan. The scheme also has a provision for social audit, which is conducted to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds.
