Lok Sabha Question No. 450 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-05
Subject: Panchayat-Level Index
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 450 ANSWERED ON 5/12/2023

## Panchayat-Level Index

## 450. SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to release the Panchayat-Level Index and institutionalize  Panchayat  Level  Awards  to  achieve  the  agenda  of  localization  of Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs)  and  promote  healthy  competition  amongst panchayats;
- (b) the  parameters  of  evaluating  the  performance  of  panchayats  in  localizing  SDGs  and indicators identified if any;
- (c) the  details  of  measures  taken  to  ensure  knowledge  sharing  amongst  panchayats  and replication of successful models; and
- (d) whether  steps  are  being  taken  to  ensure  improvement  in  outcomes  of  low-performing panchayats, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) Yes.  Ministry  has  been  anchoring  the  process  of  the  localization  of  Sustainable Development Goals to achieve the Agenda of Sustainable Development by 2030, adopting 9 Themes. To assess and measure the progress made by Grassroots level Institutions in achieving Localized SDGs and thereby attaining SDG 2030, Ministry has released a report on Panchayat Development  Index.  (PDI)  would  play  a  significant  role  for  performance  evaluation  and progress assessment in achieving the LSDGs in rural area.

Under  the  revamped  RGSA,  Ministry  has  been  incentivizing  best  performing  Panchayats through National Panchayats Award (NPA) by assessing their performance in the attainment of  SDGs  togenerate  positive  competition  among  Panchayats.  Thematic  scores,  across  nine themes of Localized Sustainable Development Goals, obtained in preparation of PDI and the composite PDI score of the Gram Panchayats will help to assess their progress in achieving localized  SDGs.  PDI  will  also  help  incomparing  the  Panchayats  in  their  progress  of development goals across nine themes as well as in composite PDI score. Hence, PDI would spur the competitive spirit among the Panchayat to plan and work for developmental goals and scale  up  the  visibility  of  holistic  development  at  all  levels  by  improving  their  position  in comparison to their peer Panchayats.

(b) PDI Report has illustrated the mechanisms for computation of Panchayat Development Index based on the local indicators of 9 themes, its data sources and monitoring mechanisms. PDI will be calculated on 577 Local Indicators of assessing development on 9 themes, 144 Local Targets and 642 unique data points to monitor the progress of LSDGs.

(c) Ministry has taken various approaches for knowledge sharing with different stakeholders  &  partners  on  PDI.  Series  of  State  Level  Workshop/Meeting  with  different stakeholders; development of AV Films, Learning Modules etc have been initiated to increase the knowledge on significance& institutionalization strategies to roll out PDI.

PDI  will  also  spur  the  Panchayats  to  develop  exemplary  practices  on  different  innovative models  of  themes  of  LSDGs  through  convergent  mechanism.  The  good  practices  of  the Panchayats are being replicated in other Panchayats through conscious process of sharing the best practices in the Panchayats with the other States and PRIs and thereby resulting in effective practices at grassroots level through sharing of experiences and expertise. External visits of PRIs within and outside the States are other method of knowledge sharing. At the same time Panchayat Learning Centres are being set up in States to disseminate the good practices adopted by Panchayats among other stakeholders.

(d) Ministry  has  initiated  the  process  of  institutionalization  of  PDI  through  various strategies & mechanism. States are apprised of the strategies adopted by the Ministry and are ready to use PDI for outcome oriented development goals at Panchayat levels. The outcome of PDI will measure the incremental progress through scores achieved by the Panchayat towards the  achievement  of  LSDGs  and  the  baseline  data  of  PDI  will  help  to  set  local  targets  & actionable points in preparation of evidence based Panchayat Development Plan for achieving the desired goals for improved performance.

*****