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brought fruits. To cite one examples, there has been huge How it is presented to the GPs, what all is to be seen by them,
improvements at district level in the Aspirational Districts and how relevant it is to them, an appropriate index can provide
Programme and relative movements seen in the positions of that clarity and canvas, that calls and beckons the Panchayats to
States in the SDG India Index in comparison to others, in act and make the difference and push development with rigour
various indicators values under the SDGs and their scores and covering all aspects that only the Local-self-government at
against targets. The logical and essential outcome of indexing the GP level can do and actively work on the achievement of
is to foster the spirit of development and competition in the LSDGs for themselves in rural India, and resultant SDGs
achieving the set of developmental targets. for the country.

Drawing high attention to Themes and focused achievement,
Localizing SDGs with PRIs is the responsibility of
GPs across the country have been advised to pass resolution
all Ministries as work scope of most Ministries
(take Sankalp) on 2-3 most relevant themes of LSDGs and
comprise of rural areas.
prepare GPDP to saturate the Sankalp (resolution) of Theme
taken by them, with adoption of at least one theme achievement
in each GPDP cycle by each Gram Panchayat on a mission Principles:

mode, supported through People’s Plan Campaign. Integration of LSDGs in rural areas into the GPDP presents a
natural synergy between the two initiatives. GPDP is to be
Moreover, the conferment of National Panchayat Awards
reflective of the thematic goals and targets in a manner in which
(NPA) on the PRIs has been revamped to align with their
the local planning and execution of actions can be planned
performance in attainment of SDGs based outcome with effect
using data, converging all the resources in setting local
from 2023 (assessment year 2021-22), to the 9 Themes. The
monetary incentive has been increased manifold and development agenda and finding local solutions to development
competition had been made mandatory with a view to draw the issues so as to contribute to the Panchayat in achieving the
Panchayats attention to their performance on the selected 90 level / value of the Indicator under the thematic goals and thus
local indicators for assessment for NPA. This was also to be the objectives of SDGs by 2030. Effective LSDGs requires
linking budgets to the local plans which in turn requires an
used to rank Panchayats, until an alternative comprehensive
approach that fosters vertical as well as horizontal convergence.
mechanism for ranking the Panchayats is put in place.
The tied and untied funds for Panchayats from the award of the
Rationale: th
14 Central Finance Commission, have provided financial
The response of GPs and resilience that came to the fore in resources for GPs to assign for their holistic development.
COVID should leave no one in doubt of the strength and ability Through GPDP a comprehensive development of rural areas is
of GPs. 2.69 lakh Panchayats with 32 lakh elected possible and thereby steadily moving towards the global agenda
representatives, do know their people and are quite aware at a of SDGs. Weightage to areas for improvement can be equal,
gross level on needs, issues of people and area and what is determined by National / State / District / Block and Panchayat
required to be achieved. Specifics are also known to GP’s. But priorities. Cross comparisons and identifying priorities, would
only when presented with facts and encouraged to pursue be principles of relevance in how the framework is used. How
achievement, the GPs can be motivated to see the larger different GPs are placed by geography, backwardness,
picture and the details of their domain. The depth to which the infrastructure, other facilities etc. would need to be factored to
GP can work and go, the complete knowledge of the residents compare like with like and identify relevant indicators. The
of the village, ability to provide of hyper local solutions, the progression on these lines is a matter of how an Index can be
response to issues, impetus that they can bring, is unparalleled.
made more effective and fairer.

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PDI Committee Report - 2023: Introduction 6