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(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Localisation of SDGs with Local Self Government

[March-2022]

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are universal goals and targets. They are integrated and indivisible, and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development-economic, social and environmental.
The journey of the 17 SDGs with 169 global targets, was committed to by 193 countries in September 2015, and it came into effect on 1st January 2016.
The year 2015-2016 was also the year in which the process of development planning through the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) introduced In the Village Panchayats in India.

NITI Aayog brought out the first SDG India Index (SDGII) Baseline Report in 2018. This consisted of a set of 62 priority indicators out of the 306 indicators of the National Indicator Framework (NIF) flowing from 39 Global Targets covering 13 goals, based on national priorities. The composite score for India was 57.
The range of scores of States (including Union Territories) was 42 to 69. Kerala and Himachal Pradesh were at 69, Chandigarh was at 68. At the lower end of the scores were Uttar Pradesh (42), Bihar (48) and Assam (49).

SDGII shows a mirror to States of their performance on SDGs. On the other hand, the PIP gives evidence of details of the inter-district disparities for the State Government to see and act upon. From National to State, the 2 levels of Government are covered in the process for achieving SDGs.
The Government of India and State Governments are directly involved in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the programmes.
Centrally sponsored schemes and State sponsored schemes are implemented in rural areas, through government officials with Districts being the critical level for delivery responsibility.
Yet it is necessary to go more into Sub-district level — Block and Village Panchayat levels which undoubtedly show different levels of development and different issues calling for attention in different places and the need for decentralised and targeted approach.

The Local Indicator Framework, to achieve locally relevant targets, at Gram Panchayat level that also link and aggregate to performance reflected in the targets and indicators at Block, District, State and National level would be the next essential step.
This would provide the picture of positions of different panchayats on the entire spectrum of the SDGs and provide open evidence for planning and interventions.
SDGs have taken place due to the multiple schemes of the various ministries implemented by States in the rural areas, as also due to State specific schemes.

The Scheme performances data— physical and financial when monitored, reasonable number of these coincide with the Indicators in the NIF, such as those connected to Water, Nutrition, Health, Education, etc.
Addressing issues like ground water availability, improving nutrition status, prevention of crimes against women and children, and support services for the vulnerable, ensuring a targeted approach and follow up to achieve outcomes of ‘Leaving No One Behind’ (LNOB) and leaving no village behind, needs localisation of SDGs right down to the village (hamlet) level.
The third tier of Government - Local Self-government is most important for the localisation
of SDGs. They need to be recognised as equal partners both by State and Central Government. The 5Ps for achieving Sustainable Development Goals - People, Partnership, Prosperity, Planet and Peace should be taken to sub-district levels, to blocks, to each Village Panchayat and it is best done with the 3 tiers of Local Self Government.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment introduced Part IX in the Constitution; Article 243G of the Constitution to ensure that the Panchayati Raj Institutions at all three levels can function as Institutions of Local self-governance.
The 29 subjects listed (transferred) as the responsibility of the PRIs, are directly connected to the SDGs such as drinking water, health and sanitation, water and watershed management, poverty alleviation, women and child welfare, social and farm forestry, etc.