Ministry, UNDP sign pact on SDGs

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed an agreement to collaborate in the areas of knowledge sharing and strengthening monitoring mechanisms for the localisation of the sustainable development goals.

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
• There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.
  

What is in the Agreement?

• According to the agreement, the MoPR and the UNDP will collaborate in the areas of knowledge sharing, capacity building and strengthening monitoring mechanisms.
• Objective: Localisation of the sustainable development goals.
• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj would work towards strengthening the monitoring of SDGs at the grassroots.
• The MoPR-UNDP partnership will help in keeping local priorities on top of the agenda while planning and implementing programmes.

Why is the role of PRI important in achieving SDGs?

• Critical component in delivering service: The panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) have been a critical component of local self-governance across rural India, contributing in:
  • achieving last-mile connectivity
  • execution of various schemes of different departments and ministries
• Covering the maximum population: About 65 per cent of India’s population lives in rural areas and the Centre is increasingly routing the funding of social sector schemes in sectors such as sanitation, housing, solid waste management etc. through the rural local bodies.
• Active involvement of PIRs would be very beneficial in achieving SDGs.

What is the status of ‘rural India’?

India’s maximum population (65%) lives in rural India. However, the majority of rural areas are crippled with many problems that are acting as barriers to the development of rural areas.

• Agricultural issues: The Indian rural faces the tough conditions of drought and famine which impact the life of people because are uneducated and they depend on agriculture.
• Poverty: The rural people are facing the problems of undulation and poverty.
• Lack of skills (required in modern world): The people are unemployed because they lack the skills to take up opportunities in life.
• If the rural sector is educated and advanced, it is easier to do business and the development is high. The economic development and the rural society have a kind of relationship which is generally interlocked because the issues of the external environment impact the values of economic development. It is necessary for the government to move in the direction and rhythm with the society because their sustainability is dependent on the long term benefits derived from the economic, social and environmental issues connected to rural basics.