It was launched by Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2018.
The primary aim of the scheme is to strengthen PRIs for achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with main thrust on convergence with Mission Antyodaya and emphasis on strengthening PRIs in the 117 Aspirational districts.
It is the restructured version of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan. This restructured form has universalized capacity building programmes of rural bodies to all states and regions under Schedule IX (earlier excluded).
Issues/challenges with RGSA and suggestions to resolve them –
The biggest hurdle with capacity building programmes is resource constraint. It impedes any initiative, hence timely disbursal of funds must be ensured.
Initiatives like PM Digital Saksharta Abhiyan must aid initiatives like RGSA as subjects like e-governanc ecould be bettered with holistic approach.
Since most of the initiatives are to be implemented via state government prerogative, state governments must truly believe in the objectives of the initiative and better coordination with the central government must be ensured.
