National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) is annually observed across India on 24th April to mark the day of the decentralisation of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalisation of Panchayati Raj.
The day marks the establishment of the 1st Panchayati Raj system with constitutional status in India back in 1993.
- 24th April 2023 marks the observance of the 14th National Panchayati Raj Day.
- The National Panchayati Raj Day 2023 commemorates 30 years of Panchayati Raj in India.
Background:
i.In 2010, Then-Prime Minister(PM) of India Manmohan Singh declared the 24th April of every year as the National Panchayati Raj Day.
ii.The first edition of National Panchayati Raj Day was observed on 24th April 2010.
Why April 24?
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj annually commemorates the 24th of April as the NPRD, to mark the historic day on which decentralization of power to the grassroots, with the institutionalisation of the Panchayati Raj, through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 came into force.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment came into force on 24th April 1993.
- This Constitution Amendment Act introduced Part IX in the Constitution of India and accorded Panchayats a Constitutional status as institutions of local self-governance for rural India.
What is Panchayati raj in India?
Panchayati Raj is the form of local self-government used by villages in rural India.
The term ‘panchayat’ means ‘assembly of five’ and ‘raj’ means ‘rule’.
This is the oldest form of government in many South Asian countries, including India.
Significance of 14th National Panchayati Raj Day(2023):
The celebration of the 14th National Panchayati Raj Day (24th April 2023) marks a significant step towards creating awareness and building momentum for India@2047.
The day also creates awareness about building institutional, individual, institutional, cross-organizational and operational capabilities for achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda in the local context by 2030.
Events:
On the occasion of NPRD 2023, The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh(MP), has organised a major event as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) – Samaaveshi Vikaas (Inclusive Development) adopting Whole-of-the-Government approach.
- The event was organised at the Special Armed Forces Ground, Rewa, MP.
- Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi graced the event as the Chief Guest and launched the AKAM campaign for the theme “Inclusive Development” – “Samaaveshi Vikas” during the event.
Key People:
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister(CM) of MP, Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Faggan Singh Kulaste, Union Minister of State(MoS) for Rural Development, Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, MoS for Rural Development, Kapil Moreshwar Patil, MoS for Panchayati Raj along with minister of Madhya Pradesh and other dignitaries, public representatives and senior officers of the Government of India and Government of Madhya Pradesh participated in the event.
Highlights of the event:
eGramSwaraj – Government eMarketplace(GeM) Integration
PM Modi inaugurated an integrated e-GramSwaraj(eGS) and Government eMarketplace (GeM) portal for public procurement at the Panchayat level.
- The objective of the eGramSwaraj–GeM Integration is to enable the Panchayats to procure their goods and services through GeM leveraging the eGramSwaraj platform.
- With the launch of this platform, panchayats will be encouraged to usher in the digital revolution and get access to an easy-to-use procurement and payment platform.
- This will also promote the rural economy and entrepreneurship along with strengthening the Digital India Program.
About eGramSwaraj (eGS):
eGramSwaraj (eGS) was launched on 24th April 2020, (National Panchayati Raj Day 2020).
It was designed to operate as a single window solution for all day-to-day functioning of the Panchayats from Planning to Online Payments.
As on date, eGramSwaraj has almost 100% usage and adoption across the country with more than 2.3 lakh Gram Panchayats and Traditional Local Bodies already using it for online payments.
Till date, more than 1.35 Lakh crore payments have been effected online through this system.
Some Salient features of eGS-GeM Integration:
The existing User base of GeM of nearly 60,000 is envisioned to increase to more than 3 lakhs in a phased manner.
Bring transparency in procurement by Panchayats by making the process digital, a major demand raised by Panchayats
Encourage local vendors (Proprietors, Self Help groups, Cooperatives etc.) to register on GeM as Panchayats procure largely from such vendors.
SVAMITVA Scheme:
PM Modi also handed over the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Property Card to select beneficiaries, symbolizing the attainment of the milestone of 1.25 crore property cards distribution under the SVAMITVA Scheme in India.
- The SVAMITVA – Meri Sampatti, Mera Haq campaign covered under AKAM – Samaaveshi Vikas theme aims to generate 1.50 crore “Records of Rights”/ Property Cards under SVAMITVA Scheme by August 2023.
- The Property Card generated under the SVAMITVA Scheme provides the right of the property to the household in the rural abadi area.
- The Scheme covers each section of society including Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), differently-abled, minorities, women and other vulnerable groups.
About SVAMITVA Scheme:
SVAMITVA scheme is a Central Sector Scheme launched by PM Modi on 24th April 2020(NPRD 2020).
Aim: To provide “Records of Rights”/ Property Cards to rural household owners of the inhabited area of the village.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
Other highlights:
i.PM Modi also launched the ‘Joint Steps Towards Development’ campaign with the aim of increasing people’s participation in ensuring the full benefits of government schemes.
ii.The national launch of the 9 Campaigns under the “Inclusive Development” theme of AKAM named “विकास की ओर साझे क़दम” covering 5 Ministries- Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), MoPR, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D) is aimed to celebrate the people’s participation in saturation of people-centric schemes.
iii.PM Modi also participated in a programme marking the ‘Griha Pravesh’ (ceremony performed when entering one’s new house) of more than 4 lakh beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin(PMAYG).
iv.During the event, he also laid the foundation stone for various railway projects worth around Rs. 2,300 crore, including 100% rail electrification in Madhya Pradesh, and for projects worth about Rs.7,000 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
v.He also flagged off three trains: Rewa-Itwari (via Nainpur, Seoni, Chhindwara), Chhindwara-Nainpur and Nainpur-Chhindwara passenger trains and inaugurated the Chhindwara-Nainpur-Mandla Fort electrified broad gauge railway line of South East Central Railway.
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