New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS): Rural Development Minister Nitin Gadkari has written to MPs urging them to immediately identify a gram panchayat (GP) under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) for its transformation into 'Adarsh Gram' by 2016.

In a letter to all MPs, Gadkari said that identification of "a GP to be developed into a model GP" may be done at the earliest.

"As per the timelines given in the guidelines, the identification exercise is required to be completed within one month from the date of launch i.e. by Nov 11, 2014 positively," the letter said.

The letter said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched the scheme Oct 11, had appealed to all MPs to translate the concept of "gram swarajya" (self-reliant villages) into reality through effective implementation of the programme.

"As members of parliament, we have to lead and guide this initiative in our respective constituencies," Gadkari said.

He said the scheme will need planned coordination and convergence among different government departments while leveraging strength of the community at the village level.

Gadkari said the ministry was in touch with the states for organising orientation workshops in different states for easy dissemination of guidelines.

"At this juncture, we need to immediately identify the gram panchayat to be taken up for transformation into adarsh gram (model village)," the letter said.

The scheme guidelines say that gram panchayat will be basic unit with a population of about 3000-5000 in plain areas and 1000-3000 in hilly, tribal and difficult areas. In districts where this unit size is not available, gram panchayats approximating the desirable population size may be chosen.

The guidelines state that the MP will identify one gram panchayat to be taken up immediately and two others to be taken up a little later. A Lok Sabha MP has to choose a gram panchayat from within his/her constituency, and Rajya Sabha MP a Gram Panchayat from the rural area of a district of his/her choice in the state from which he/she is elected.

The goal is to develop three Adarsh Grams by March 2019 of which one would be achieved by 2016. After that, five such adarsh grams (one per year) will be selected and developed by 2024.

Gadkari said his ministry was committed to provide all support for easy and effective implementation of the scheme.

"I solicit your active cooperation and involvement in this regard," Gadkari said.