Assessing the Impact of Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) on Poverty Reduction: A Study of Select Saansad Adarsh Grams in Varanasi District

The Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (hereafter SAGY) is the most significant initiative of the Central Government of India that was launched in the year 2014 with its aim to transform rural India by creating model villages that can inspire and guide other villages towards holistic and sustainable rural development. The main emphasis of this rural development program is to fulfil the need of basic essential day to day requirements or facilities such as housing, supply of clean drinking water, electricity, healthcare, sanitation, education, road connectivity and social welfare schemes. The Program strives to promote personal development, human development, social development, good governance and sustainable livelihoods. Mahatma Gandhi who is considered as the father of nation once said that India’s real spirit lies in its villages and SAGY seeks to revitalise this spirit by creating Saansad Adarsh Grams that can serve as the models of development. The present study tries to assess the impact of SAGY in reducing poverty in two Saansad Adarsh Grams namely Jayapur and Pure Bariyar in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh. For this purpose, the study employs a mixed-methods approach which include both the Explanatory Sequential and Exploratory Sequential Designs for collecting and analysing the relevant data. This research design follows a pre-post evaluation framework in which data is collected both before and after the implementation of SAGY to assess changes in socio-economic indicators. The study examines various aspects of poverty reduction, including income generation, access to financial services, infrastructure and basic essential amenities like clean water supply, sanitation, electricity, road connectivity, healthcare, transportation, education, employment opportunities, sustainable livelihood, access to entitlements and good governance. The findings of the study indicate that SAGY has made significant improvements in rural infrastructure such as better roads, healthcare, sanitation, transportation, education, electricity, water supply, livelihood, etc., and enhancing the living standards of people residing in the Jayapur and Pure Bariyar Saansad Adarsh Grams of Varanasi district. However, despite these improvements, there are still challenges which remain in achieving substantial poverty reduction. The study reveals that while there has been an increase in income and livelihood opportunities, the benefits have not been evenly distributed, and many people still live below the poverty line and their living standards are not yet improved. The findings and recommendations of the study can help policy-makers and practitioners to enhance the effectiveness of SAGY and ensure that its benefits reach the poor populations.