In a significant assertion on Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India emphasized the need for states to allocate approximately 25% of their budgets towards developing rural infrastructure. This statement was made by a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by ‘Mundona Rural Development Foundation’, which sought the establishment of libraries in rural areas managed by gram panchayats.
The justices highlighted the critical areas of health, education, drinking water, and hygiene as sectors that require urgent attention from both state governments and the central government. “Health, education, drinking water, and hygienic conditions are important areas which need special focus in rural India,” the bench stated. “Time has come for the states to invest around 25 percent of their budget towards rural infrastructure for ensuring the country’s all-round progress.”
While the court resolved the petition by emphasizing the importance of establishing libraries in villages to promote democratic values, constitutional culture, and knowledge accessibility, it also underscored the broader implications of such infrastructural investments. The bench noted, “It needs no emphasis that establishment of libraries in village areas will infuse democratic values, constitutional culture and access to knowledge to those living in inaccessible areas.”
The justices also suggested that the states explore effective steps towards utilizing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to address the lack of libraries and other critical facilities in rural areas. They acknowledged the pivotal role of gram panchayats as grassroots representatives of democracy and their responsibility in implementing various schemes for economic development and social justice.
The court remarked on the broader need for prioritizing health, education, and basic amenities in rural planning, pointing out that such decisions should ideally be left to the discretion of policymakers. “Equally important are the adequate arrangements for health, education, drinking water, hygienic conditions, and other basic amenities that are required in rural areas,” the justices added.
