Localising SDGs
at
Local Self Governments
(Gram Panchayats)
Dr. Rupam Mandal
Centre for Poverty Studies and Rural Development
December 2019

Development and Local Self Governments
(PRIs)
• What is development
 improvement in economic and social condition of people and
places
 linked to addressing poverty, education, health, employment,
infrastructure and facilities, basic amenities like housing,
drinking water, sanitation
 It is also about equity and enhancing human abilities
• How is development reflected at the village level?
 By the facilities that a village has to enrich a human life and
sustain the environment around it. Water, sanitation, housing,
no poverty, energy, health, environment, education,
employment etc. reflect how developed a village is, along with
justice for all, conserving our eco systems and gender equality

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• A universal call to action to end poverty,
protect the planet and ensure that all
people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• An evolution of the Millennium
Development Goals which ended in 2015,
the SDGs are a collection of 17 goals with
169 targets under them, covering a wide
host of social & economic development
issues.
• Adopted by UN member nations in
September 2015, the SDGs aim to provide
a uniform set of targets for human, social
& economic development for member
countries based on their own priorities
and positions, to move toward a
prosperous and sustainable world where
no one is left behind.

Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals & Localization - Need
 While SDGs are primarily a collection of global & national targets,
local level action is at the heart of them
 While the goals are universal, the implications and intervention
possibilities are local
 Local community action is essential to the achievement of the SDGs,
for the simple reason that as the rung of administration that is
nearest to the people, it is best placed to design & implement locally
relevant policies aligned to local priorities
 This is particularly crucial in a country like India, where several
diverse contexts exist even within a state
 In a heterogeneous context, achievement of the SDGs hinges on
localized action with GPs playing a significant role

Localising SDGs in India
• NITI Aayog is taking the lead in co-ordinating India’s efforts
towards achieving the SDGs
• The Aayog is attempting to mainstream the SDGs into
national & sub-national development plans, to bolster
progress towards their achievement
• Parallelly, the Ministry of Statistics & Programme
Implementation (MoSPI) has undertaken an initiative of
consultation with various ministries and drafted a set of
national level indicators which are reflective of the SDG goals
& targets
• State Governments have begun to enter the process of SDG
implementation, however effective translation of the 2030
Agenda into reality requires the local governments to
participate as well

Localising SDGs in India …contd.
Gram Panchayat and SDGs
• The twin objectives of the Panchayatai Raj System as envisaged by
the Constitution are to ensure local economic development and
social justice
• Many of the SDG targets are within the purview of the Eleventh
Schedule of the Constitution
• Various Flagship programmes which are at the core of the SDGs
and local governments play a pivotal role in implementation of
many of these programmes
• Flagship programmes like MGNREGS, NRLM, NHM, ICDS, NRDWSP,
Tribal & SC Sub-plan schemes along with State sponsored
programmes on socio-economic and human development
• The Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) paves the way for
the Panchayats to link it with SDGs

Localising SDGs in India ….contd.
Synergy between SDGs and GPDP
 SDGs are a framework of targets for localized action to
achieve
 The aim of the GPDP initiative is to promote participatory
local planning & implementation for better rural
development outcomes.
This presents a natural synergy
between the two initiatives
• The location of the SDGs within the GPDP can provide GPs
with a vision for development that is in sync with national &
global priorities, providing the local thrust that is required for
the SDGs to be a reality

Localising SDGs in India ….contd.
• Gram panchayats (GPs) across the country are preparing gram
panchayat development plans (GPDP), presenting an
opportunity for the GPs to synchronize their plans with SDGs
• It is important to set GP-level targets with measurable
indicators that will have vertical and horizontal linkages,
convergence possibilities, resource mobilization potential and
feasible action by the GPs

Why Local Self Governments ?
Status and benefits
• Status of Panchayats
- 73rd and 74th Amendment
- Paradigm shift from tow tier (Central & State Govt) to
Third Tier Local Self Government
Key Features :
• Autonomy
• Powers to take decisions in matters transferred to local
governments
• Undertake planning, implementation and monitoring of
socio-economic development programmes
• Devolution of functions, finance and functionaries

Constitutional Amendments
• Every State shall have Panchayats in rural areas and
Municipalities in urban areas.
• A three-tier system for States having population over
two million
• For others, a two-tier system with no intermediate tier
• Panchayats and Municipalities are established as
institutions of self government.
• There is reservation of seats – not less than one-third
seats for women while for scheduled caste and tribes,
proportional to their population
• The term of office for the elected representatives of
these local governments is five years
• The local governments are also to prepare local area
development plans

Constitutional Amendments …contd.
• Resources to the local governments may come from own resources
generated by them like from taxes, duties, tolls, fees, rent, user
charges, taxes collected by the state and a part of which assigned to
or shared with the local governments, specific purpose grants from
the State and Central governments, untied grants, borrowing,
donations and gifts
• Each district has a District Planning Committee (DPC), which prepares
a development plan for the district consolidating the urban and rural
local plans and higher tier plans
• Village assemblies’ alias Gram Sabhas with all adult citizens as
members
• States are mandated to confer power and responsibilities to these
Gram Sabhas
• The State governments shall constitute independent State Election
Commissions
• 29 subjects are transferred to the local governments; the details of
which have to be defined by the State governments

• Schedule XI of the Constitution

Towards a Poverty Free Panchayat

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat
What can a Gram Panchayat do ?
FACILITATE
• Access to
- Social protection
- Housing
- Water and Sanitation
- Electricity
• Resilience to extreme climate events and other environmental
shocks
• Implementation of NREGS
• Income generation through –
- Skill training
- Entrepreneurship development
- Employment
- Building of institutions like SHGs
- Access to financial services, including microfinance

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat .contd.
What can a Gram Panchayat do ?
• ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION IN
- Needs assessment
- Social services planning
• PLAN
- Operational guidelines for care and protection of
destitute and vulnerable
- Convergence of GPDP funds and programmes
• IDENTIFY
- Poor, destitute and critically vulnerable to shocks and
disasters
- Appropriate new technologies to improve productivity

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat ..contd.
Action Points for a Panchayat
• Take steps to create an in-depth understanding of the term poverty among the
Panchayat Committee and other community volunteers
• Dissemination about various schemes for poor and vulnerable through ASHA
workers, Anganwadi workers and school teachers
• SHG Formation, their handholding and training
• Developing criteria for identification of the poor, destitute and vulnerable
• Initiating participatory surveys for their identification and need assessment
• Ensuring transparency in the selection process / providing benefits
• Set the goals and targets for their gram panchayat
• Develop a comprehensive programme based on the need assessment, goals
and targets
• Converge different agencies, their programmes and schemes and community
organisations which can support the Gram Panchayat
• Facilitate registration of PDS
• Develop a monitoring mechanism

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat ..contd.
While Planning for Eradicating Poverty?
• Reduce poverty and vulnerability by deceasing people’s
exposure to social and economic risks, like lack of
employment, food, ill health and disability and building
their capacity to manage these risks
• Ensure that all people, in particular the poor and
vulnerable, have access to basic services and facilities,
natural resources, economic and financial services
• Ensure social care and social security network for all,
especially for the poor and the vulnerable

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat .. contd.
Resources
SCHEMES
• Deen Dyayal Antyodaya Yojaona (DAY-NRLM)
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme (MGNREGS)
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY)
• State Poverty Eradication Missions
• National Social Assistance Programmes (NSAP)
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
• Public Distribution System (PDS)
• Rashtriya Swastha Bima Yojana (RSBY)
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana
• Other State and Central Schemes
PEOPLE
• Self-Help Groups and their Federations, Literacy workers, ASHAs, Teachers,
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) Community Resource Persons
(CRPs), Anganwadi workers, Rojgar Sevaks

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat ..contd.
Setting Goals and Targets
• Ensure that all children of school going age are enrolled and there are
no drop outs
• Ensure access to scholarships, hostel facilities, transportation
facilities, books, uniform etc. to all school / college going children
• Ensure motivation and counselling support to all school / college
going children
• Ensure coverage of all the poor families under MGNREGS
• Ensure the skill upgradation of the labourers in agriculture and animal
husbandry related to mechanization and value addition of agriculture
produce
• Building and handholding the labour banks
• Building institutions like SHGs of the poor men and women in a
neighbourhood
• Ensure support for initiating thrift-credit activities, microfinance,
bank linkages etc.
• Facilitate income generation through enterprenuership development
and initiation of individual / group enterprises

Towards a Poverty Free Gram Panchayat ..contd.
Setting Goals and Targets
• Improve the productivity of the available land by ensuring irrigation,
protection from wild animals, better seeds, bio-fertilisers, integrated
pest management etc.
• Identify appropriate technologies for reducing drudgery and risk of
pollutions at home and at work
• Ensure basic services like housing, water supply, sanitation, electricity
to all populations
• Ensure quality mid-day meal to all school going children
• Promote locally grown nutritious food
• Develop strategies for a strong campaign which will induce changes in
attitude regarding reproductive health, hygiene and nutrition
• Ensure that all vulnerable persons are covered under social insurance
schemes like health insurance, life insurance and accident insurance
• Dovetail appropriate schemes to ensure maximum care and protection
of vulnerable individuals or households
• Provide counselling and treatment support to the victim/families of
substance abuse – alcohol, drugs and smoking

CASE STUDY

INTEGRATED GRAM PANCHAYAT
DEVELOPMENT PLAN (GPDP)-2017-18
DIGAMBARPUR GRAM PANCHAYAT
BLOCK / TALUKA : PATHAR PRATIMA
DISTRICT : SOUTH 24 PARGANAS
STATE : WEST BENGAL

Distinctive Features
• Following the State Guideline, the GP formed a 105 strong frontline
work force named GP Planning Facilitating Team (GPPFT) with ERs, GP
employees, employees of line departments operating at GP level, SHG
members and community representatives among others and deployed
this team for all works relating to GPDP including enabling environment
building, collection and analysis of data, situation analysis, preparation
of the plan and also for assistance in implementation and monitoring
• The amazing institutional capacity of the GP and the individual
capacities of almost all the ERs and functionaries of the GP - which are a
pre-requisite for effective planning, implementation and monitoring - are
notable in every sphere of functioning of the GP
• Intense and inclusive participation of all sections of communities,
particularly SHGs, through “Para Baithaks” (neighbourhood meetings) in
all the stages of preparation, implementation and monitoring of GPDP
• Mobilisation and utilisation of Own Source Revenue (Rs.18.44 lakh in
2017-18) enhanced the GP’s scope of discretion in convergent planning.

Distinctive Features .. contd.
• Based on a wide vision of overall economic development and social justice in the
area, the GP first set its goals to be met during the year in consonance with the
SDGs and linked all its plan activities with 11 out of 17 SDGs.
• As against the usual practice of focus on infrastructure development, the GP
incorporated in its Rs.778 lakh strong budget a wide range of no-cost/low-cost
and no-tech/low-tech activities including social forestry through people’s
initiatives; awareness camps about health and hygiene, nutrition and safety
network for women, children and adolescent girls; awareness camps on issues
related to expansion of livelihoods; preparation and use of bio-fertilizers;
preparation and use of bio-pesticides
• The GPDP laid utmost emphasis on social and human development issues
including deployment of “Kanyashree Brigade” against social evils like child
marriage, school drop-out, trafficking, child labour, atrocities against women etc.;
support with saplings for setting up of kitchen gardens at the premises of every
AWC and most households; gas connection and installation of fire-extinguishers
with the AWCs out of its OSR; bringing at least one woman from each household
into any one of its 500+ SHGs for expansion of livelihood opportunities
• The GPDP gave due thrust on upgradation of physical environment in the entire
area discarding use of plastic, raising of mangrove, solid waste management

Distinctive Features … contd.
• Based on a wide vision of overall economic development and social justice
in the area as mandated by the Constitution, the GP first set its goals to be
Convergence of the initiatives of the GP with the schemes, initiatives and
resources of all the line departments operating at the GP level
• Effective application of Information Technology e.g. GP Management
System (GPMS), GIS, PlanPlus, GRMS (Grievance Redressal Management
System)
• The GPDP is well documented with its activities spread over 5 Sub-
Committee based sub-plans integrated into a consolidated Annual Plan &
Budget for 2017-18
• The Digambarpur GP is predominantly a “Beacon GP” in all senses of
institutional capacity, inclusive and intense participation of people
including women and children in all stages of GPDP, SDG compliance,
sustained increase in Own Source Revenue including voluntary
contribution in terms of cash-kind-labour, actual practice of convergence,
low-cost-no-cost activities, focus on human development and social
development, GP-SHG partnership and tangible achievement towards an
Environment-Friendly GP, a Child-Friendly GP and a Gender-Just GP

Strategic approach for the GPDP
• The Sub-Committee based integrated Gram Panchayat Development Plan
(GPDP)
• In accordance with SDG 3, 4 and 6, priority was given to education and
public health. Emphasis was given on development of child friendly
environment in schools like park, garden, toilets, annual sports and
cultural events etc. Under sanitation and public health, liquid and solid
waste management has got priority
• Keeping view of SDG 1, 2 and 8, activities are planned for livelihood
promotion and agriculture. Training planned to be conducted through
Block Agriculture Officer, Animal resource development officer and Soil
conservation officer. Provision for excavation and re-excavation of small
irrigation canal, ponds, and water bodies have been kept to convert single
crop land to multiple crop land. Pisciculture has also been given
importance. Emphasis on composting and vermicomposting has been
given to increase use of organic fertilisers.
• Installation of Hume pipes and culverts planned to prevent water logging
and improve connectivity in line with SDG 9
• Nursery raising, social forestry and beautification of local area planned to
be done through plantation of trees to promote biodiversity, prevent soil
erosion and climate change in line with SDG 13 and 15.
• To promote gender equality (SDG 5), awareness camp on women’s rights,
training and skill development of women SHGs in collaboration with NRLM
planned.

Gram Panchayat Development Plan of DIGAMBARPUR GP 2017-18
Sub-Committee:-Agriculture and Animal Resource Development
Sl.
No.
Activity Details
What Benefit will
accrue from the
proposed activity
location of
activity
Gram
Sansad / No
Location of
Activity
Physical target
(Measurement/lengt
h/area)
Project land
belongs to
(personal/
G.P./Oth Dept.
Vested land)
Name of the
Fund
Amount
Expected
month & year
of activity
Remark
Sector:- Krishi o Sangslisto
MICRO IRRIGATION CANEL
1 From Bablatala More ro
Saraldaha More
To improve
irrigation system
I Dk
Durgapur
350 mtr G.P. MGNREGS 75000 Apr-May SDG-2
EXCAVATION OF POND
ARCHANA BAIDYA Promotion of
Pisciculture and
irrigation for
livelihood
I Dk
Durgapur
180 sqm Personal MGNREGS 39868 Apr-May SDG-2
NARMADA GAYEN Promotion of
Pisciculture and
irrigation for
livelihood
I Dk
Durgapur
180 sqm Personal MGNREGS 39868 Apr-May SDG-2,8
1 CONSTRUCTION OF
VERMI COMPOST FOR
AMBALIKA MONDAL
AND 9 OTHERS
TO INCREASE
APPLICATION OF
BIO-FERTILIZER
I Dk Durgapur 3.6 sqm Personal MGNREGS 50000 Apr-May SDG-2,11,15
2 MAHARANI HALDAR 3.6 sqm Personal
3 SUFALA HALDAR 3.6 sqm Personal
4 MAHUYA HALDAR 3.6 sqm Personal
5 SHILA HALDER 3.6 sqm Personal
6 SUJALA BAIDYA 3.6 sqm Personal
7 ANGUR NAIYA 3.6 sqm Personal

Steps of GPDP Followed
• Workshop at the Block level
• Formation of GPFT
• Training of GPFT
Training of GPFT members was initiated by the Block Facilitating team at
the GP
• Formation of Ward Level facilitating teams
GPFT members divided themselves in to ward level teams comprising of
GP Members, employees, ASHA, ICDS worker, SSK/School teacher, retired
govt. officials, volunteers, students and local enthusiasts.
• Community mobilization
Community mobilization drive was conducted through wall writings,
invitation letters to each households, posters etc. to spread awareness and
involve villagers in to the planning process. GPFT members conducted
neighbourhood meetings and collected sector specific data.
• Preparation of Gram Sansad (Ward) wise draft plans
GPFT members initiated preparation of draft plans based on Gram Sanasad
(ward) information collected from Gram Register, sector specific data,
social and natural resource map, and problem-resources-potential
analysis. Focus was on social sectors and improvement in livelihoods of
poor and marginalised.
• Gram Panchayat development Plan
The GPDP of Digambarpur GP for 2017-18 including plan for MGNREGS
was prepared on 26 December 2016

Proposed Target Matrix on select SDGs
Goals National Indicator Gram Panchayat (GP)
Indicator
GP Baseline
Value &
(Year)
GP Target
Value
&(Year)
15.a: Mobilize and significantly
increase financial resources from all
sources to conserve and sustainably
use biodiversity and ecosystems
N.5.a.1: Official development
assistance and public expenditure
on conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity and eco system.
GP.5.a.1: Official
development assistance
and public expenditure by
GP on conservation and
sustainable use of
biodiversity and eco
system.
15.b: Mobilize significant resources
from all sources and at all levels to
finance sustainable forest
management and provide adequate
incentives to developing countries
to advance such management,
including for conservation and
reforestation
N.15.b.1: Percentage of fund
utilized for environmental
conservation.
GP.15. b.1: Percentage of
GP fund utilized for
environmental
conservation.
2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure
access by all people, in particular,
the poor and people in vulnerable
situations, including infants, to safe,
nutritious and sufficient food all
year round
N.2.1.1: Prevalence of
undernourishment (Global
indicator)
GP.2.1.1: Percentage of
children aged under 5
years who are
underweight
N.2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or
severe food insecurity in the
population, based on the Food
Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)
GP.2.1.2: Proportion of
school going age children
receiving MDM

The GP can make their target towards
• Hunger free GP
• Beggar free GP
• Housing for all
• ODF GP
• Safe drinking water for all
• Zero women & child trafficking and Child labour free GP
• GP where women are empowered
• Fully literate GP
• Child marriage free GP
• Garbage and plastic free GP
• Child friendly GP

Success at Nation
Success at State
Success at
Gram
Panchayat
Success at LSG only can bring the success at National
Level

Thank you