Context:
Recently, the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj informed Lok Sabha about the Panchayat Development Index.
Relevance:
GS II: Government policies and Interventions
Panchayat Development Index
Index Composition and Purpose
- Comprehensive, multi-faceted index designed for evaluating panchayats’ holistic growth and progress.
- Incorporates diverse socio-economic metrics to measure local community welfare within panchayat regions.
Role in Sustainable Development
- Crucial for gauging performance and advancements towards localized Sustainable Development Goals in rural sectors.
- Includes a Local Indicators Framework based on nine Sustainable Development Goal themes.
Thematic Areas of Evaluation
- Focus areas include: eradicating poverty, promoting livelihood, ensuring health, child welfare, water adequacy, environmental sustainability, infrastructural sufficiency, social justice, effective governance, and women’s empowerment.
Grading System
- Panchayats are scored and assigned to one of four grades: D (<40%), C (40-60%), B (60-75%), A (75-90%), and A+ (>90%).
Importance of the Index
- Aids in pinpointing rural development needs and discrepancies.
- Supports the creation of tailored policies to advance rural community well-being and achieve development objectives.
