The Centre has released the Devolution Index Report 2024, which ranks states and UTs on how well they have devolved powers, funds, and staff to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). For the common citizen, this means: there is now a public measure of whether your state is really empowering your village panchayat — or keeping power at the top.
What is the Devolution Index? It uses six dimensions: framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, and accountability. If your state ranks low on “finances,” for example, your panchayat may be waiting longer for funds. If it ranks low on “functionaries,” your village may not have a full-time secretary.
Why should you care? Panchayats are where many schemes — roads, water, MGNREGA, welfare — get implemented. Stronger devolution means your panchayat can plan and spend with less delay. Knowing your state’s rank helps you ask the right questions at the gram sabha.
Where to find it: Ministry of Panchayati Raj website (panchayat.gov.in) — look for “Devolution Index Report 2024.”
This is the first such report in seven years. Use it. Ask at the next gram sabha: “Where does our state stand? What are we doing to improve?”
Related content: Sign our petition to make the Index visible to every citizen; join the forum discussion to share if your panchayat has discussed it; and use our step-by-step citizen guide (weDocs) for what to do next.
