Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Q. Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana

Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY)

The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) is one of the most ambitious rural development programmes launched by the Government of India with the aim of transforming rural areas into model villages through holistic and integrated development. Introduced by the then Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11, 2014, SAGY seeks to leverage the leadership and influence of Members of Parliament (MPs) to drive the development of villages and improve the quality of life of rural residents. The programme aims to create a model for rural development that can be replicated across the country, ensuring that the benefits of growth and development reach even the most remote and marginalized communities. SAGY emphasizes participatory development, where local communities are actively involved in planning and implementing development initiatives. The core objective of SAGY is to create villages that are not only economically sustainable but also socially cohesive, environmentally friendly, and equipped with modern infrastructure and amenities. Despite its ambitious goals and initial enthusiasm, SAGY has faced several challenges in implementation, including inadequate funding, administrative bottlenecks, lack of sustained political commitment, and difficulties in ensuring community participation.

The concept of SAGY draws inspiration from the Sansad Gram Yojana initiated in the early 2000s, which encouraged MPs to adopt and develop villages within their constituencies. However, SAGY introduced a more structured and comprehensive framework for village development, with a focus on social, economic, and infrastructural transformation. Under SAGY, each Member of Parliament is expected to adopt at least one village and work towards its holistic development by 2016. Subsequently, MPs are encouraged to adopt two more villages by 2019 and further scale up the programme in the following years. The aim is to ensure that every village in the country eventually benefits from the development model created under SAGY. Unlike other rural development programmes that focus primarily on infrastructure development or poverty alleviation, SAGY adopts a broader and more integrated approach that encompasses all aspects of rural life, including education, healthcare, sanitation, skill development, employment generation, social justice, and environmental sustainability.

Objectives and Vision of SAGY

The primary objective of SAGY is to translate the concept of a model village into reality by fostering integrated and inclusive development. The programme envisions creating villages that are:

·        Socially cohesive – Promoting harmony, reducing caste and gender discrimination, and strengthening community bonds.

·        Economically vibrant – Enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting rural entrepreneurship, and generating sustainable livelihoods.

·        Environmentally sustainable – Encouraging the use of renewable energy, promoting water conservation, and protecting natural resources.

·        Digitally connected – Ensuring access to digital infrastructure and services, including internet connectivity and e-governance.

·        Equipped with modern infrastructure – Providing access to basic amenities such as clean drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, education, and housing.

·        Self-sufficient and self-reliant – Encouraging local governance, community participation, and decentralized decision-making.

The programme aims to achieve these objectives through a convergence of existing government schemes and resources, supplemented by additional funding from corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, state governments, NGOs, and philanthropic organizations. SAGY encourages innovation and creativity in addressing local challenges and meeting the specific needs of each village.

Key Components and Strategy of SAGY

The implementation strategy of SAGY is based on the following key components:

1.    Adoption of a Village
Each Member of Parliament (MP) is required to adopt one village from their constituency, excluding their own native village or their spouse’s village. The selected village should ideally have a population of 3,000 to 5,000 in plains areas and 1,000 to 3,000 in hilly, tribal, and desert areas. MPs from urban constituencies are encouraged to adopt villages from neighboring rural constituencies.

2.    Preparation of a Village Development Plan (VDP)
The Village Development Plan (VDP) forms the foundation of SAGY. It is prepared through a participatory process involving Gram Panchayats, local residents, government officials, and experts. The VDP outlines the development goals, resource requirements, and implementation timeline for the village. It includes key components such as:

·        Basic infrastructure (roads, electricity, water supply, sanitation)

·        Social development (education, healthcare, nutrition, women’s empowerment)

·        Economic development (agriculture, livestock, small industries, self-employment)

·        Environmental sustainability (waste management, renewable energy, afforestation)

·        Good governance (transparent decision-making, grievance redressal)

3.    Convergence of Existing Schemes
One of the unique aspects of SAGY is that it does not have a separate budget or dedicated funding. Instead, it relies on the convergence of existing government schemes such as:

·        Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – Rural road connectivity

·        Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) – Wage employment and rural infrastructure development

·        Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – Sanitation and hygiene

·        National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) – Healthcare and maternal-child welfare

·        Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) – Financial inclusion and direct benefit transfer

·        Digital India – Internet connectivity and digital literacy

4.    Mobilization of Additional Resources
In addition to government schemes, SAGY encourages the mobilization of resources from:

·        Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from private companies

·        State government schemes and funds

·        NGOs and philanthropic organizations

·        Community contributions (in terms of labor, materials, and financial support)

5.    Monitoring and Evaluation
The implementation of SAGY is closely monitored through a multi-tiered system involving:

·        Village Monitoring Committee – Comprising local residents, Gram Panchayat members, and government officials

·        District and State-Level Monitoring Committees – Ensuring coordination and resource allocation

·        National-Level Oversight – Conducting periodic reviews, sharing best practices, and addressing challenges

6.    Replication and Scaling
The successful transformation of villages under SAGY is intended to serve as a model for replication in other villages. MPs are encouraged to adopt more villages and apply the lessons learned from earlier projects to new locations.

Achievements and Impact of SAGY

Since its inception, SAGY has led to the development of several model villages across the country. Some of the key achievements include:

·        Improved rural infrastructure – Construction of roads, streetlights, water supply systems, and sanitation facilities.

·        Enhanced social indicators – Higher school enrollment rates, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and increased immunization coverage.

·        Economic empowerment – Increased agricultural productivity, greater access to markets, and higher rural incomes.

·        Environmental protection – Waste management initiatives, renewable energy installations, and water conservation projects.

·        Digital connectivity – Expansion of internet services, establishment of common service centers (CSCs), and promotion of digital literacy.

Challenges and Problems in Execution

Despite its ambitious goals and initial success, SAGY has faced several challenges in implementation:

1.    Lack of Dedicated Funding – The reliance on convergence of existing schemes has led to funding gaps and delays in project execution.

2.    Political Apathy and Lack of Continuity – Some MPs have shown limited interest in adopting and sustaining model villages, leading to uneven implementation.

3.    Inadequate Coordination – Poor coordination among different government departments and agencies has resulted in delays and duplication of efforts.

4.    Community Participation – Lack of awareness and resistance to change among local residents have limited community involvement in some villages.

5.    Corruption and Misallocation of Resources – Misuse of funds, political interference, and favoritism in beneficiary selection have weakened the impact of SAGY.

6.    Infrastructure and Logistical Challenges – Poor road connectivity, unreliable electricity supply, and inadequate communication networks have hindered the implementation of projects.

7.    Sustainability and Replication Issues – Some villages have failed to sustain development gains due to lack of follow-up and support from government agencies.

Conclusion

The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) represents a bold and visionary attempt to transform rural India through integrated and participatory development. While the programme has achieved notable success in improving rural infrastructure, social indicators, and economic opportunities, the challenges in execution highlight the need for stronger political commitment, better coordination, increased funding, and enhanced community participation. Strengthening the institutional framework, improving governance, and addressing logistical and financial challenges are essential for ensuring the long-term success and scalability of SAGY. With sustained effort and strategic reforms, SAGY has the potential to serve as a model for rural development and contribute to the broader goal of poverty reduction and social empowerment in India.

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