Getting the ‘Micropicture’ at the Panchayat Level in India

Syllabus: GS2/Governance

Context

• Grassroots governance in India often lacks accessible, detailed data which is difficult for panchayat leaders to assess their own communities effectively.

Need of Micro Data in Local Governance in India

• The Panchayati Raj system and municipal bodies are the first point of contact between citizens and the state.
  • These rely on various datasets to assess needs, allocate resources, and track progress.
• Collecting raw data on households, employment, infrastructure, education, and health are key for:
  • Understanding intra-village inequalities and social hierarchies.
  • Identifying hyperlocal priorities that may be invisible to district or state-level planners.
• Detailed data empower Panchayats for:
  • Make evidence-based decisions.
  • Improve public service delivery (e.g., water access, sanitation, schools).
  • Monitor welfare program effectiveness more efficiently.

Concerns & Challenges 

• Usability of Data: Enormous datasets available through ministry portals and policies like the National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy (NDSAP), 2012.
  • Despite the open data framework offered through various platforms, data formats remain unfriendly for public or even trained researchers.
• Localised Problems: The ‘top-down’ and macro-level models often failed to capture localised problems like caste-based exclusion, women’s unpaid labour, localized water stress, or migration patterns.
• Disconnected Data at the Grassroots: At the panchayat, block, and district levels, data is generated primarily for consumption at higher levels of governance like secretaries and departmental heads.
  • Limited technical expertise among local representatives to interpret complex datasets.
• Delayed Census: Evidence-based policymaking in India faces significant challenges due to delays in Census operations and the inconsistent availability of time-series data.

Other Challenges Facing Panchayats in India

• Inadequate Financing: Most panchayats rely heavily on funds from higher tiers of government, with limited avenues for generating their own revenue.
  • A study by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revealed that in 2022-23, the average revenue per panchayat was ₹21.23 lakh, with only 1.1% coming from local taxes and fees.
• Technological and Digital Literacy Gaps: Limited technological infrastructure and low digital literacy hinder effective monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of progress.
  • Without digital tools, real-time tracking of SDG progress remains a challenge.
• Fragmentation in Rural Governance: Multiple government departments operate in villages without proper coordination, leading to duplication of work and inefficient use of resources.
  • The lack of convergence between different schemes and departments makes holistic development difficult to achieve.

Key Steps By Government

• Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) Baseline Report 2022-23: It provides a micro-level assessment of panchayats, helping leaders make informed decisions
  • It is aligned with the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
  • The PAI can determine whether a Gram Panchayat qualifies as a ‘Healthy Panchayat’, pinpointing specific gaps and enabling swift corrective action.
• National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP): It facilitates access to government datasets, allowing users to search, merge, visualize, and download data easily.
  • It helps local bodies analyze trends and improve governance.
• Open Government Data (OGD) Platform: It provides public access to datasets from various ministries and departments.
  • It enables data-driven policymaking and transparency in governance.
• Role of Institutions and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs): The government can leverage over 4,000 institutions under the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan to maximize impact.
  • The ‘hand-holding’ model, supplemented by CSOs and institutional expertise, can complement departmental efforts and accelerate SDG attainment.
• Technological Integration:
  • eGramSwaraj: A digital governance initiative available in 22 languages, enabling transparent fund management and real-time monitoring.
  • SVAMITVA Scheme: Drone surveys have been conducted in 3.17 lakh villages, issuing over 2.19 crore property cards to empower rural property owners.
• Micro Matters Initiative: It focuses on data-driven development under India’s G20 presidency, promoting the use of big data analytics, AI, and IoT to improve governance at the grassroots level.

Conclusion

• By integrating data analytics into governance, India can empower its local institutions to create targeted policies, improve service delivery, and enhance accountability—ultimately leading to stronger, more responsive local governance.
• India is investing in digital infrastructure, including optical fiber networks for villages and AI-driven data analytics. These advancements aim to improve service delivery and governance efficiency.

Source: TH