Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is a decentralized governance program launched by the Government of India with the objective of strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and enabling them to function as democratic and accountable local government bodies. The program aims to enhance the capacity of elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs, to enable them to deliver better services and improve the quality of life for rural communities in India
Hon’ble PM launched Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), the ‘Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ program aims to quickly and effectively transform selected districts. These districts were selected on parameters like poverty, public health, nutrition, education, gender, sanitation, drinking water, livelihood generation which are in sync with SDGs and fall within the realm of Panchayats.
RGSA is proposed to be implemented as a core Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for four years viz., from 2018-19 to 2021-22 with State and Central shares. The sharing ratio for the State components will be in the ratio of 60:40 except NE and Hilly States, where the Central and State Ratio will be 90:10. For all UTs, the Central share will be 100%. RGSA enables Panchayats to function effectively to achieve SDGs and other development objectives that require significant Capacity building efforts.
To summarize, RGSA is a government initiative launched by the Honorable Prime Minister to transform selected districts in India that are facing challenges in poverty, public health, nutrition, education, gender, sanitation, drinking water, and livelihood generation.
The program is implemented as a core Centrally Sponsored Scheme for four years from 2018-2021 and is aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by enhancing their capacity to deliver better services and improve the quality of life for rural communities. The funding for the program is shared between the Central and State governments with different ratios for different states and union territories. The goal of RGSA is to help PRIs effectively achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and other development objectives.
