NEW INITIATIVES – SWAJALDHARA & HARIYALI LAUNCHED

11.45 LAKH SELF HELP GROUPS FORMED

90 PER CENT HABITATIONS FULLY COVERED WITH RURAL DRINKING WATER

ANNUAL REPORT OF MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT 2002-2003

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There has been a paradigm shift in the strategy for Rural Development with focus on decentralization through speedy and effective devolution of financial and administrative powers to the Pancyahati Raj Instituions. As such, the emphasis has shifted towards participation of people through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Self Help Groups (SHGs) in the planning, formulation and execution of the Programmes.

To ensure adequate budgetary support for sustainable development in rural areas, the allocations for Rural Development Programmes have been enhanced to Rs.13670 crore in 2002-2003 from Rs.12265 crore in 2001-2002. This year, itself, the allocations further increased to Rs.14070 crore.

Ministry is striving to make Panchayati Raj Institutions an effective and vibrant forum for decentralized planning and implementation of rural development programmes in consonance with the people’s hopes and aspirations. On 25^th Deccember, 2002, a new initiative ‘Swajal Dhara’ launched to empower Panchayats to formulate, implement, operate and maintain Drinking Water Projects. In order to further involve PRIs in development process, a new initiative ‘Hariyali’ launched on 27^th January, 2003 to strengthen and involve Panchayati Raj Institutions in the implementation of Watershed Development Programmes.

Barring a few States Panchayat Elections have been held in most of the States during the last two years. A ‘National Declaration’ resolving that the State Governments would ensure the implementation of Provisions of Constitution (73^rd Amendment) Act, 1992 and the provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas), Act, 1996 was adopted by consensus in ‘All India Panchayat Adhyakshas Sammelan’ held in April 2002.

Under Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), it has been ensured that at least Rs.25000 and foodgrains of equal value are to be provided to every Panchayat every year. For the first time so much of the resources have been put at the disposal of PRIs. 5% of resources under SGRY are reserved for distress Areas. In the current year 199 drought affected districts have already been released additional funds of Rs.13916.85 lakh and 1.13 lakh tonnes of food grains valued at Rs.11304.60 lakh from the reserve.

Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in the last 24 months project proposals worth Rs.7553.77 crore pertaining to all 28 States and 6 Union Territories cleared. Over 37000 Habitations are likely to be benefited and over 56,000 km of road works constructed on completion of these road works.

Action Plan for Rural Housing envisages construction of 25 lakh houses annually in rural areas. Under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), the flagship rural housing programme, so far about 93 lakh houses with an expenditure of about Rs.16000 crore have been constructed.

The Report says since inception of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) – a holistic programme for promoting self employment in rural areas, 11.45 lakh Self Help Groups (SHGs) formed till date and about 1 lakh Groups have taken up economic activity.

Ministry of Rural Development is mandated to provide safe drinking water to all rural habitations by 2004. Plan outlay for Department of Drinking Water Supply enhanced to Rs. 14,200 crore for Tenth Plan from Rs.8454.57 crore released during 9^th Plan. Out of total number of 14.22 lakh rural habitations in the country, 12.80 lakh (90.03%) habitations are fully covered. 1.26 lakh habitations (8.88%) are partially covered and only 15,444 rural habitations (1.09%) not yet covered.

Under Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), so far 10,55,365 household toilets, 1117 Balwadi toilets 597 sanitary complexes for women and 15627 school toilets have been constructed.

As per the annual report, one of the major initiative and achievement in this regard is three fold increase has been made in budget provisions for Wastelands Development Programmes. 12219 Watershed projects sanctioned during the last three years under Desert Development Programme (DDP) and Drought Programme Areas Programme (DPAP). 304 Watershed Development Projects were sanctioned under Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP). Total area taken up for treatment under the programmes is 87.12 lakh hectare at a total cost of Rs.5,217 crores.