Make the Devolution Index Visible to Every Citizen

Problem (in common man language): We often don’t know how much power our panchayat actually has — or why some states’ panchayats work better than others. The Devolution Index exists, but most citizens don’t know about it or how to use it to ask for better local governance.

Key facts:

• Devolution Index Report 2024 ranks states on six dimensions: framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, accountability.
• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1993) mandates panchayats as units of self-government; the 11th Schedule lists subjects that can be devolved.
• The report is in the public domain (MoPR/panchayat.gov.in); citizens can use it to compare states and demand action.

Practical solution we ask for:

• State governments to publish a simple “citizen summary” of their devolution status (one page, in local language).
• Gram sabha agendas to include once-a-year discussion on “where does our state stand on devolution?” using the index.
• MoPR/States to run brief awareness campaigns when the index is released (e.g. radio, wall posters at panchayat offices).

Our public demand: We ask that State governments and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj make the Devolution Index visible to citizens — through a one-page summary in local language, and one discussion in the gram sabha every year on what the index says and what we can do next.