On February 9, 2023, the Union Minister Giriraj Singh, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) inaugurated Mission Antyodaya Survey (MAS) 2022-23 including launching of its portal and mobile application at a function in New Delhi, Delhi.
What is MAS?
Based upon the Central Government’s ‘Whole of Government Approach’, it is an annual survey at the Gram Panchayat (GP) level to monitor the progress in the development process in rural areas. It is being conducted by the Department of Rural Development across all GPs in India since 2017-18.
- It is an important aspect of Mission Antyodaya Framework by ensuring effective utilization of resources through convergence of various government schemes for the sustainable livelihood of marginalized households.
Key Points:
i.It ranks Panchayat based on the data collected through survey, and makes Gap report which is an important input for the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
ii.GPDPs is a comprehensive exercise that uses both primary and secondary data for preparing final plan document for any GP. MAS presents secondary data to carry out gap analysis
iii.GPDP aid in improving service delivery, enhance citizenship, create pace for an alliance of people’s institutions, and groups and improve governance at the local level.
How will MAS 2022-23 conducted?
It will be conducted in all 2,69,253-gram panchayats and equivalent, whose profile has been created on e-Gram Swaraj.
- Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland are not covered yet due to elections.
Key Points:
i.The Survey-2022 Questionnaire has 183 indicators and 216 data points covering 21 areas. It will be translated in 13 regional languages.
ii.The village-wise survey is expected to be conducted over a period of one month involving Community Resource Persons (CRPs). The survey questions have been categorized into the following five stratums:
- Panchayat Infrastructure
- Panchayat Services
- Village Infrastructure
- Village Services
- Village Practices.
iii.A total of 26 Central Government Ministries / Departments have been consulted for finalization of the questionnaire.
iv.MoRD in consultation with NIC (National Informatics Centre)-DRD, has developed the android mobile application with geo-tag feature for 36 assets in villages. The Ministry has also set up in-house Help Desk for smooth resolution of queries related to the questionnaire and mobile application.
Other Participants:
Minister of State (MoS) Faggan Singh Kulaste, MoRD; MoS Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, MoRD; among others
Recent Related News:
i.MoRD’s flagship poverty alleviation program Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has launched the ‘Prajjwala Challenge’ – Unlock the Rural Economic Opportunity’ with an aim to invite ideas, solutions, and actions that can Transform Rural Economy.
ii.Chhattisgarh government provides an aid of Rs. 10,000 every year to each gram panchayat for organising festivals of tribal communities in the tribal-dominated Bastar and Surguja divisions and scheduled areas of the state from FY 2023-24.
