Port Blair, Apr 11: In pursuant to the GoI goal to localize the global SDGs, the Directorate of Rural Development and Panchayat, A&N Administration conducted a State Level Orientation programme on “Localization of Sustainable Development Goals” on 08th April 2022.
The objective of the programme was to handhold the Gram Panchayats officials of the Department on the various SDG Goals, Targets and Indicators. Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI emphasizing localizing the SDGs has identified 09 thematic areas, cutting across the 17 SDG Goals, wherein the Gram Panchayat has a direct/indirect role of implementation and falls under the 29 subjects enshrined in the 11th schedule of the Constitution.
These nine themes are Poverty free and enhanced livelihood village; Healthy village; Child-Friendly village; Water Sufficient village; Clean & Green Village; Self-Sufficient village; Socially Secured village; Village with Good Governance and Engendered Development in the village.
Article 243 B of the Constitution empowers the Gram Panchayats to prepare the plan for its social and economic development. The 17 SDGs are aligned with the three dimensions of Sustainable Development- Environmental, Social and economic and therefore the role of Gram Panchayats in the achievement of the SDGs is of greater significance.
The State Nodal Officer (RGSA) presented the overall overview of SDGs and the need to localize the SDGs into local indicators that are practicable and realizable at the ground level. He outlined that as part of the initiative of Localization of SDGs, the Directorate of RD, PRIs and ULBs has formulated the Local Indicator Framework for each of nine thematic areas containing more than 300 indicators.
The Local Indicator Framework was prepared in line with the National and State Indicator Frameworks. The LIF will help the Gram Panchayats to build baseline GP-wise data, that will ascertain the actual GP level status and enable the GPs to identify the gaps.
The Localization of Sustainable Development Goals broadly calls for a Whole of Government and a Whole of Society approach involving all line departments, NGOs and Civil Society members at the State, District, Block and GP level. He expressed that the Gram Panchayats should strive hard to saturate themselves in the 09 thematic areas in a phased manner by prioritizing the themes as per the decision of Gram Sabha.
Thereafter, the Domain Experts of the State Panchayat Resource Centre (SPRC) held a technical session detailing the nine thematic areas focusing on the Local Indicator Framework and the State-wise status against each status.
