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Panchayat Development Index Different Nodal Ministries / Departments & their schemes have
also been linked with relevant SDGs and Targets. The Ministry
The Constitution of India envisages the Panchayats to be
of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) with the mandate to build
institutions of self-government with such powers and
institutional capabilities of the PRIs to deliver SDGs at local
authority to enable them to function as institutions of self-
level is given a key role in reorienting the PRIs in this direction.
government and for the preparation of plans and
MoPR also is constantly evolving itself to meet the needs of
implementation of schemes for economic development and
time and empower panchayats through innovation, facilitation,
social justice. Panchayats can formulate/prepare plans and
guidance and advocacy for accomplishment of the target.
programmes in 29 subjects spanning from primary agricultural
Panchayat Raj Institutions have an extent of flexibility in
activities to public distribution etc. for the socio-economic
undertaking activities as per the local priority.
development of the rural people.
In the document “Transforming our world: the
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”,
achieve a better, more equitable and sustainable future for all.
Member States underscored the importance
The SDGs are a common mission for a ‘One World-One Planet’ of “quality, accessible, timely and reliable
for all. The 17 SDGs were adopted and signed by all UN disaggregated data… to help with the
Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 agenda for measurement of progress and to ensure no
sustainable development. Government of India is also a one is left behind”. (Paragraph 48).
signatory to the United Nations SDGs 2030 agenda.
The ways and means for mainstreaming the SDG agenda at Information Constraints at GP
local level, would require the active involvement of PRIs in GP suffers from lack of information on the Resource Envelope
directing/percolating the schematic and programmatic benefits of Central and State Government programmes planned for
to the rural mass with the core concept of “Leave No One implementation in the GP. GPs come up with a long list of
Behind” of the Agenda of SDGs. Localizing SDGs in PRIs is works with a heavy bent on infrastructure, with less attention to
the responsibility of all Ministries as well as of MoPR, as work socio-economic and environmental aspects. The lack of
scope of most Ministries comprise of rural areas. MoPR has requisite information is, therefore, leading to lopsided
played an anchoring role in localizing SDGs in PRIs in mission development even within a Panchayat. An urgent need is felt to
mode, adopting 9 broad themes by subsuming more than one start building reliable financial databases in Panchayats
SDGs under each theme for convergence of resources and connected to development status, measurements of progress at
attainment of the goals. GP level for planning as well as for improving governance

The nine themes are: system.
Theme 1: Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods in Village The aggregate assessment of the performance of a sector or
Theme 2: Healthy Village more than a sector is normally measured by an index to help the
Theme 3: Child-Friendly Village planners, policymakers and change-seekers to evaluate the

Theme 4: Water Sufficient Village performance of various parameters. The need of a
Theme 5: Clean and Green Village developmental index at the local level, the fundamental local
Theme 6: Village with Self-Sufficient Infrastructure unit of self-governance i.e., Gram Panchayat in the Indian
Theme 7: Socially Just and Socially Secured Village context is increasingly felt as necessary, as a measure to
Theme 8: Village with Good Governance monitor and assess the progress of their development on a
Theme 9: Women Friendly Village regular basis to further identify the gaps and improve the
(Engendered Development in Village) situation.

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