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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