Modi's ambitious plan of making 'smart villages': Explained

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday launch his ambitious 'Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana' (Parliamentarian's Model Village Scheme) aimed to ensure holistic development of identified gram panchayats.

What is the scheme all about?

• The scheme will be launched on October 11, the birth anniversary of social reformer Jay Prakash Narayan.
• The scheme was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15.
• According to the scheme, each MP will adopt a village every year for all-round development.
• The MPs will work for the development of these select villages using the programmes of the Centre and States and their constituency development funds ( MPLADS).
• The Yojana has been drafted by Rural Development Ministry.

Salient features of Scheme

• This scheme is aimed at ensuring an all-round development of identified Gram Panchayats under the close scrutiny of MPs.
• The aim is to substantially improve the quality of life of all sections of the population in these select constituencies.
• The MPs will also be asked to utilise their existing MPLAD scheme grants towards the scheme.
• It aims at turning villages into model villages not just through infrastructure development but gender equality, dignity of women, social justice, community service, cleanliness etc.

SAGY demands MPs participation

• Each MP should make one village and turn it into a model village by 2016, two more villages by 2019.
• After 2019, each MP must develop 5 model villages during their tenure in their constituencies till 2024.
• MPs belonging to urban areas would have to adopt villages from nearby rural constituencies.
• Planning process in every Gram Panchayat will be a participatory exercise coordinated by the District Collector.
• The Gram Panchayat would also participate in the process.

Punsari Gram in Gujarat a trend setter

• The Rural Development Ministry officials are studying the development of Punsari village in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat.
• The Punsari Gram Panchayat has been received awards for bringing in rural transformation.

How it is different from UPA's scheme?

• UPA's Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana was focused on villages which had SC communities as more than half the population.
• Such is no case with Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
• Also, SAGY includes participatory role for MPs.