Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana

The Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana (MGSVY) is an integrated welfare initiative launched by the Government of Punjab in December 2017, aimed at ensuring that the benefits of various state and central government schemes reach every eligible and underprivileged citizen. The scheme embodies the Gandhian principle of “Sarbat da Bhala” — meaning “the welfare of all” — and seeks to promote inclusive, equitable, and participatory development across the state.

Background and Concept

The MGSVY was conceptualised under the vision of the Chief Minister of Punjab to eliminate the gap between welfare schemes and their intended beneficiaries. Despite the existence of multiple development and social security schemes, many citizens—especially from rural and marginalised communities—were not benefiting due to lack of awareness, administrative delays, and duplication of efforts.
To address this, the Punjab Government decided to establish a comprehensive convergence mechanism, uniting all relevant government departments, panchayats, and local institutions under a single developmental framework. The scheme was named after Mahatma Gandhi to align with his ideals of inclusive growth, rural upliftment, and social justice.

Objectives of the Scheme

The Mahatma Gandhi Sarbat Vikas Yojana focuses on achieving total inclusion in welfare delivery through coordinated and transparent governance. Its main objectives are:

1. Identification of Deprived Beneficiaries:
   • To locate and enrol individuals and families who have been left out of existing welfare schemes.
2. Convergence of Government Schemes:
   • To integrate central and state welfare initiatives into a single, cohesive administrative process.
3. Promotion of Social Inclusion:
   • To empower marginalised communities, including Scheduled Castes, women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker families.
4. Improvement in Governance:
   • To strengthen local governance institutions such as Gram Panchayats by involving them directly in welfare delivery.
5. Transparency and Accountability:
   • To ensure efficiency through digital record-keeping, social audits, and real-time monitoring of scheme outcomes.

Implementation Framework

The Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, serves as the nodal department for the implementation of MGSVY. The scheme functions through a multi-tiered administrative structure that ensures participation from state, district, block, and village levels.
Key Elements of Implementation:

• District-Level Coordination: The Deputy Commissioner acts as the nodal officer at the district level, coordinating with all departments involved in welfare activities.
• Village-Level Identification: Gram Panchayats identify left-out families and assist them in availing benefits through Sarbat Vikas Camps organised periodically.
• Sarbat Vikas Camps: Special outreach camps are held at the village, block, and district levels where beneficiaries can access enrolment for multiple welfare schemes in one place.
• Digital Monitoring and MIS: Beneficiary data is uploaded and tracked through an online Management Information System (MIS) to prevent duplication and ensure transparency.
• Inter-Departmental Coordination: Various departments such as Social Security, Health, Education, Rural Development, and Employment work together to ensure convergence of services.

Focus Areas of Development

The scheme operates across several key development areas, ensuring comprehensive welfare coverage:

1. Health and Sanitation:
   • Universal coverage under Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana (SSBY) for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
   • Access to safe drinking water, toilets, and sanitation through Swachh Bharat Mission.
2. Education and Skill Development:
   • Ensuring school enrolment and scholarships for underprivileged children.
   • Promoting vocational training and employment through the Punjab Skill Development Mission.
3. Employment and Livelihood Generation:
   • Job creation through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and Ghar Ghar Rozgar Yojana.
4. Social Welfare and Security:
   • Coverage of old age, widow, and disability pensions under state social security schemes.
   • Inclusion of economically weaker households in housing and ration card schemes.
5. Agriculture and Rural Economy:
   • Assistance to small and marginal farmers through subsidies, debt relief, and cooperative credit.
   • Promotion of sustainable farming and diversification initiatives.
6. Infrastructure and Housing:
   • Provision of pucca houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY).
   • Development of rural roads, community halls, and sanitation infrastructure.

Institutional Mechanism

The institutional structure of MGSVY is built around participatory governance:

• State-Level Committee: Chaired by the Chief Secretary of Punjab to review overall policy and coordination.
• District-Level Committee: Headed by the Deputy Commissioner to plan and execute development activities.
• Block and Village-Level Committees: Responsible for identifying beneficiaries, organising camps, and monitoring outcomes.

Achievements and Outcomes

Since its inception, MGSVY has significantly improved welfare delivery across Punjab. Notable achievements include:

• Identification of Left-Out Families: Thousands of families who had not benefitted from welfare schemes were brought into the fold.
• Streamlined Welfare Delivery: Reduced duplication of benefits and improved departmental coordination.
• Increased Enrolment in Social Schemes: Enhanced coverage of health insurance, pensions, and housing schemes.
• Strengthened Local Governance: Empowered Gram Panchayats and local functionaries in decision-making processes.
• Promotion of Inclusivity: Improved representation of women, Scheduled Castes, and economically weaker sections in welfare planning.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The progress of MGSVY is monitored through:

• Regular district-level reviews and performance audits.
• Online dashboards tracking scheme convergence and beneficiary enrolment.
• Social audits and citizen feedback systems to ensure accountability.

Challenges

While the programme has yielded substantial benefits, certain challenges persist:

• Awareness and Outreach Gaps: Many potential beneficiaries remain unaware of eligibility or required documentation.
• Data Coordination: Maintaining accurate, real-time beneficiary data across departments is complex.
• Implementation Gaps: Variations in efficiency among districts can affect uniform progress.
• Funding Constraints: Effective convergence requires consistent financial support and inter-departmental resource sharing.

Significance

The MGSVY stands as a landmark initiative in Punjab’s governance model, promoting convergence, inclusivity, and transparency.