Government of Tamil Nadu - Archives

There are 12619 Village Panchayats and 385 Panchayat Unions in Tamil Nadu. The percentage of rural population is 69% i.e. about 3.6 crore people live in the rural areas. The prime goal of Rural Development Department is to improve the quality of life of rural people by achieving various set objectives like alleviating poverty through restructured self employment and wage employment programmes, building community infrastructure facilities, and promoting decentralisation of powers to strengthen the Panchayat Raj institutions. The thrust of Rural Development Schemes is to improve the standard of living through sustained socio-economic development by effective implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Programmes and State Schemes and other eco-friendly schemes.

As a result of the revised formula adopted by the Government of India for the share of State Governments in allocation of funds under Poverty Alleviation and Rural Development Programmes, Tamil Nadu's share was reduced from 7.062% to 4.987% from 1.4.1998. Over the last four years Tamil Nadu has been receiving reduced allocation and the cumulative loss works out to Rs.419.32 crore.

After assumption of office by the new Government the Honourable Chief Minister has made an intensive review of schemes and has requested the Government of India to restore the original allocation of 7.062% of funds to the State. A team of MPs were instructed by Honourable Chief Minister to meet the respective Central Ministers and concerned officials of Government of India to request to restore the original allocation to Tamil Nadu and also to compensate adequately the loss in the previous years in future allotment.

The Tamil Nadu Government will give special focus on creating an enabling environment for women to realize their full potential and total participation and decision making through promotion of self help groups one in each habitation. The Poverty reduction policy of the Government incorporates major concerns on "Economic Empowerment" of women by strengthening institutional support systems for social mobilization access to credit, appropriate technology and marketing tie up.

The State Government will continue to implement Anna Renaissance Scheme and MLACDS with renewed vigour and new focus.

Only 11% of houses in Tamil Nadu is having latrine facilities in rural areas. This is less than the all India coverage of 15%. This Government is greatly concerned about providing sanitary facilities to the rural women.

The District Rural Development Agencies implement the Central / State Schemes at the district level. In order to achieve various set objectives, the District Rural Development Agency is extending administrative / technical support.

The Human Resources Development has been taken care of at the State level by the State Institute of Rural Development at Maraimalai Nagar and at regional level by the Rural Extension Training Centres located at Bhavani Sagar, Krishnagiri, Pattukottai, T.Kallupatti and S.V.Nagaram. Need based training is given to the officials like BDOs. , Assistant Directors, Assistant Project Officers (District Rural Development Agencies), Sectoral Departments (DRDAs.), etc. Need based training is also given to Chairpersons of Panchayat Union Councils, Vice-Chairpersons of Panchayat Union Councils, District Ward Members., etc. and others like NGOs., Community Nutrition Instructress / Community Nutrition Supervisors of World Bank assisted ICDS-III Project, etc.

The Panchayat Raj Institutions play a pivotal role in the creation and maintenance of community infrastructure facilities through Self Government and provide basic amenities i.e. safe drinking water, housing, street lights, improvement of roads, sanitation and hygiene. Consequent to the 73rd amendment to the Constitution, Tamil Nadu enacted a new Panchayats Act, 1994. Prior to 73rd constitutional amendment, Tamil Nadu had a very strong two tier system with elected local bodies at the village and block level i.e. Village Panchayats and Panchayat Unions. This system was conducive and functioning very efficiently and smoothly. This Government is fully seized of the problem arising out of the introduction of 3-tier structure of panchayat in the rural areas. The three tier system has totally prevented an organic linkage from one level to the other. The present system of 3 tier is not conducive for the implementation of various schemes. Therefore, Honourable Chief Minister has requested the Government of India for a suitable amendment to the Article 243 C of the Constitution of India to restore and retain the original two-tier system in Tamil Nadu.

The details of financial outlay to Rural Development Department schemes are given below.

Under Demand No. 27 Total outlay for Rural Development for Rs.1543.05 Crore of which Rs.375.47 Crore for Plan schemes. It works out to 6.29% of the State Total Budget of revenue expenditure (I.e) Rs.24522.00 Crore.

	ADD: Recoveries
2215		1.41
2225		3.93
2236		8.34
2501		7.55
2505		18.64
2515		111.83
2810		0.65
3454		0.23
3604		0.00
		152.58
	0.00	154457.62

1. Construction of Panchayat Union Office Building at Kaveripattinam, Dharmapuri District:

The Kaveripattinam Panchayat Union Office building in Dharmapuri District was constructed during 1959-60. The Panchayat Union office building at Kaveripattinam had been completely damaged and unfit for occupation and hence the office was shifted to the Community Hall in the campus of the Panchayat Union from 1988 onwards. There are at present 65 staff working in the Panchayat Union. As the building is inadequate the construction of new Panchayat Union office building has been proposed to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.35.00 lakh. During 2001-2002 Rs.14.00 lakh will be released.

2. Construction of six Residential Quarters for the staff of Jawadhu Hills Panchayat Union in
Thiruvannamalai District

Segregating eleven Village Panchayats situated in Chengam, Pudupalayam, Polur Kalasapakam and Alangayam Blocks recently formed Jawadhu Hills Panchayat Union. These Blocks are in hilly and forest areas of Jawadhu hills and serve mostly tribal people. There are 36 staff working in the Panchayat Union. At present, there is only one staff quarter available for the Block Development Officer. It is proposed to construct six additional residential quarters for the panchayat union staff at an estimated cost of Rs.39.60 lakh. For the current year Rs.15.84 lakh is allocated.

3. Construction of three residential quarters for BDO and EOs. in Nallampalli Panchayat Union
in Dharmapuri District.

There are no residential quarters for the staff of Nallampalli Panchayat Union. It is essential to construct residential quarters to facilitate the staff working in the remote areas to cater to the needs of the various sections of the public. An amount of Rs.9.90 lakh has been earmarked for construction of three residential quarters for Block staff in Nallampalli Block. During the current year Rs.3.96 lakh is allocated.

The absence of an office room for the Village Administrative Officers (VAOs) comes in the way of efficient discharge of their duties. People in the villages are finding it difficult to approach the VAOs to redress their grievances. It is proposed to construct a building adjoining every panchayat office for the Village Administrative Officers at an estimated cost of Rs.60,000. A sum of Rs.24 crore has been earmarked for the project during the current financial year. Nearly 4000 buildings will be constructed every year.

Rapid development of rural areas of the State is among the principal concerns of the Government. It is proposed to construct integrated sanitary complexes for women in all the 12619 Village Panchayats at a cost of Rs.2 lakh per unit with electricity and water facilities for toilet, bathing and washing purposes in a phased manner. A sum of Rs.92 crore has been earmarked for this programme during the current financial year. The Government will also explore the feasibility of installing a mini-sewage treatment plant wherever necessary.

Integrated sanitary complex shall include 14 water closets, 2 bathrooms, 1 pump room with pump sets, one water tub, stone paved washing facilities etc. At least five families will be entrusted with one toilet unit in the complex. The allotted families shall maintain the toilets and they shall also be permitted to keep the toilets under lock and key arrangement. These complexes will be maintained and managed through Women Self Help Groups.

The village shandies are being conducted in most Village Panchayats without adequate infrastructural facilities. In order to make them as active centres for marketing rural products this Government intends to improve the basic infrastructure facilities available for the conduct of shandies by providing proper connectivity, water supply, lighting, public conveniences, improved stalls, etc., with the assistance from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) of the NABARD. An amount of Rs.7.48 lakh is to be spent for providing these facilities for a shandy. The total requirement of fund for the establishment of 385 village shandies would be Rs.38.19 crore. All these village shandies will be covered over a period of 5 years. This will not only ensure outlets for marketing the rural products but also increase the income of the local bodies.

With the objective of encouraging rural self-employment and savings, this Government proposes to train and assist 30,000 poor rural women. They will be mobilized and organized into Self Help Groups for improving their economic status and inculcating the habit of savings. These Self Help Groups are provided with necessary technology tie up, infrastructure facilities, subsidised credit to take up economic activities and marketing support.

This Government will take suitable steps to promote youth self-help groups in the rural areas and provide EDP Training to 10,800 rural youth living below poverty line.

In the current year, Rs.4.08 crore will be spent to train 30,000 rural women and 10,800 rural youth living below poverty line.

The annual allocation for every Member of the Legislative Assembly under the MLACDS was Rs.77 lakh during the previous year. It has been decided to increase it to Rs.82 lakh during the current year and a provision of Rs.192.70 crore has been made in the budget for this purpose.

9. Under Part-II Schemes Rs.7.19 lakh has been provided to strengthen the infrastructure of Directorate of Rural Development.

The Government of India have introduced a new self employment programme called Swarna Jayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana with effect from 1.4.99. This is a holistic programme covering all aspects of self employment such as organising the rural poor into self help groups, training, credit linkages and other forward and backward linkages including transfer of technology, infrastructure and marketing support. This scheme is funded by the Central and State Government in the ratio of 75:25 . The Government of India have indicated an allocation of Rs.36.17 crore for the year 2001-2002. A sum of Rs.12.57 crore has been provided in the Budget which includes the current year state share of Rs.9.04 crore and the state share for the additional central release made during the last year. The Government have decided to strengthen the marketing infrastructure at a cost of Rs.2.5 crore for the sale of rural products. Under this programme 16 marketing complexes (Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Thirutani, Chidambaram, Kallakurichi, Tiruchengode, Athur, Gobichettipalayam, Tiruppur, Paramakudi, Velankanni, Kodaikanal, Palani, T.Kallupatti, Peraiyakulam and Tiruchendur) will be constructed. These complexes in addition to marketing the rural products of the self help group provide necessary market intelligence support for maximising their income.

The primary objective of the scheme is to create additional wage employment opportunities during the period of acute shortage of wage employment through manual work for the rural poor living below the poverty line. The secondary objective is to create durable community assets for sustained employment and development. This scheme will be funded by the Centre and the State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. The total allocation of funds will be apportioned among the Panchayat Unions and the District Panchayat in the ratio of 70:30. During 2001-2002 GOI have indicated an allocation of Rs.61.01 crore. A sum of Rs.21.09 crore is provided in the budget estimate for the year 2001-02 as State share under this scheme.

5738 works including laying of roads, desilting of irrigation tanks, buildings for school, public distribution shops, anganwadies are proposed to be taken up under this scheme during 2001-2002.

This is a centrally sponsored rural housing programme where expenditure is shared between the Centre and the State in the ratio of 75:25. The Government of Tamil Nadu provides fire proof RCC roofed houses, by supplementing Rs.12,000 per house as additional roofing cost apart from its usual matching share to the central grant. Therefore the unit cost including sanitary latrine under this scheme is Rs.32,000/- in normal terrain and Rs.34,000/- in difficult terrain. Government of India introduced two components under this scheme with effect from 1.4.99 viz. a) construction of new houses, b) upgradation of unserviceable kutcha houses. For upgradation of unserviceable kutcha houses Government of India have fixed Rs.10,000/- as unit cost per house. The State share for this component is Rs.2,500/- per unit.

From the financial year 2000-2001 as per Government of India guidelines 80% of the funds allocated under IAY has been earmarked for construction of new houses and 20% for upgradation of unserviceable kutcha houses. During 2000-2001 a sum of Rs.5067.75 lakh was released by Government of India and Rs.1707.379 lakh by the State Government as its matching share besides the release of Rs.4027.200 lakh for RCC roofing. With the above allocation 34137 new houses were taken up. For the year 2001-2002, the Government of India have indicated an allocation or Rs.59.23 crore to take up 30869 houses. A sum of Rs.19.48 crore is provided in the Budget for 2001-02 as State share under IAY.

It is a sub component of IAY in which 20% of the total funds allocated under IAY is utilized. Unit cost is at the rate of Rs.10,000/- which shall be shared between GOI and State Govt. in the ratio of 75:25. During 2001-2002, 15794 unserviceable kutcha houses will be taken up for upgradation.

Using locally available materials, and cost effective technology like mud bricks, rat trap bond, filler slab, ferro cement roofing/channels/door, hollow bricks, fly ash bricks, concrete door frames, etc. are very effective in constructing houses at reasonable cost. This will synchronise with natural village habitat development. Therefore to promote such efforts, during 1999-2000 Government of India sanctioned special projects for habitat development in seven districts. viz. Erode (56), Madurai (100), Thanjavur (100), Dindigul (100), Kancheepuram (100), Cuddalore (100) and Trichy (67) for the total allocation of Rs.301.45 lakh. During 2000-2001 project proposal in respect of 9 districts viz. Perambalur, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Pudukkottai, Karur, Vellore, Coimbatore, Tiruvallur and Kanyakumari were sent to GOI, out of which GOI sanctioned 3 project proposals of Kanniyakumari, Tuticorin and Pudukkottai districts. Sanction is awaited in respect of balance six districts.

Credit-cum-subsidy scheme intends to benefit the families above the poverty line. It is a subsidy cum loan scheme where subsidy is operated through District Rural Development Agencies. Subsidy of Rs.10,000/- is provided per house which is shared between Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25. Families with annual income up to Rs.32,000/- are eligible to avail assistance. Besides subsidy, loan up to Rs.40,000/- from Commercial or Co-operative Banks can be mobilised.

Under this scheme, the beneficiaries are not able to provide collateral security and also not able to pay the registration fees and stamp duties for registering pattas to get the loan assistance. Considering the difficulties of the beneficiaries under the scheme, the Honourable Chief Minister has ordered exemption from payment of registration fees and stamp duties in registering patta under Credit cum Subsidy scheme for availing credit from Banks and financial institutions. A sum of Rs. 744.82 lakh is provided in the Budget for the year 2001-2002 under this scheme.

For the year 2001-2002 the Government of India have fixed an allotment of Rs.182.80 lakh for this scheme of which the Central and State share will be Rs.137.10 lakh and Rs. 45.70 lakh respectively. 1828 number of houses are proposed to be taken up during the current year.

Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY) was launched by the GOI during 2000-2001 which has five key components viz. Primary education, Primary health, Nutrition, Rural Drinking Water Supply and Rural Shelter. Though the guidelines provides for implementation of all these components through local bodies, rural development department is implementing only rural shelter component. During 2000-2001 the GOI provided Rs.105.39 crore. In addition to housing, funds were also provided to take up infrastructure facilities like roads, street lights and drinking water supply. During 2001-2002 the GOI have treated this new scheme as additional Central assistance to States. Out of this allocation 15% is allocated for each of the five component and the balance 25% was state discretion to be used for any of these five components. Accordingly Rs. 15.72 crore was allocated for each component.

During 2001-2002, the total allocation made for Rural shelter component under PMGY including the state discretionary fund is Rs.22.23 crore.

The erstwhile Jawahar Rozgar Yojana(JRY) was restructured to provide rural infrastructure at the village level and renamed as Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana(JGSY) with effect from 1st April 1999. This is a demand driven programme implemented entirely through the Village Panchayats. DRDAs release funds including State matching share directly to Village Panchayats. Village Panchayats are the sole authority for preparation of Annual Action Plan and implementation. Village Panchayats spend 22.50% of funds on individual beneficiary schemes for SC/STs. Minimum wages should be given as notified or as prescribed. Though the wage : material (60:40) ratio has been relaxed emphasis on labour intensive works will continue. Village Panchayats have the power to execute work up to Rs.50,000/- with the approval of Gram Sabha. No other administrative or technical approval would be necessary. Village Panchayats will have the power to incur expenditure up to Rs.7,500/- or 7.50% of funds whichever is less in a year on administrative contingency and for technical consultancy. The Village Panchayats are permitted to utilise up to 15% of the funds for maintenance of assets. The funds to the Village Panchayats would be allocated on the basis of population.

For the year 2001-2002, the GOI have indicated an allocation of Rs.77.17 crore. A sum of Rs.25.72 crore is provided in budget for the year 2001-02 as state share under this scheme.

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is giving 90% of Loan assistance for developing rural infrastructure under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) V & VI to Rural Development Department. Under this project, rural local bodies should contribute 10% of the project cost besides paying 25% of the loan from its general fund. Balance loan amount will be repaid by the Government as grant to the local body. NABARD has sanctioned the project for Rs. 122.76 crore with a loan assistance of Rs.110.48 crore for improving 1015 KM rural roads, and for constructing 55 bridges for the year 2000-2001. All the road works will be completed by March 2002. Rural roads, upgraded by High Ways Department and Rural Development Department under NABARD Programme will be maintained by Rural Local Bodies. During 2001-2002, a sum of Rs.75 crore has been provided to implement the scheme.

The Honourable Prime Minister of India announced an Additional Central Assistance Scheme called the PMGSY on the 15th August 2000 for providing total connectivity with all weather roads to all rural habitations with population of more than 1000 by 2003 and all habitations of more than 500 population by the year 2007. The Scheme was inaugurated in Tamil Nadu on 25.12.2000. During 2000-2001, the Government of India have allocated Rs.151.32 crore to cover 1446.498 KM. length of rural roads and 1572 cross drainage works. All these works have been grouped into packages costing more than Rs.1 crore but less than 5 crore as per Government of India Guidelines. The District Rural Development Agencies are taking action to call for and finalise tenders. The works will be taken up soon.

The project proposals for 2001-2002 are being prepared from the priority list of District Rural Road Plan. Project proposals with an outlay of Rs.90 crore are being prepared for the year 2001-2002 adopting the guidelines in the manual for preparation of District Rural Road Plan.

The Government of India restructured the CRSP with effect from 1.4.1999 and issued guidelines for the implementation of the Programme with two main components viz (a) Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) and b) Allocation Based Programme. Total Sanitation Campaign project envisages demand driven approach with increased stress on awareness building and meeting the demand with alternate delivery mechanisms. It emphasizes more on IEC activities to increase awareness in order to enhance demand with beneficiary participation of higher degree to meet the demand. The project will be implemented in 24 months, spread over in 3 financial years in selected districts with the ultimate objective of covering 80% rural population under sanitation. The expenditure towards the implementation of the programme will be met by the Government of India and the State Government at the ratio of 80:20 except for hardware activities and school sanitation where the percentage of contribution is 60:20:20 between Government of India, State Government and beneficiaries / Panchayats . During 1999-2000, Cuddalore, Vellore, Coimbatore and Perambalur districts were taken up under Total Sanitation Programme. During 2000-2001, the scheme was extended to Erode, Kanyakumari and Virudhunagar Districts.

It is proposed to extend the Total Sanitation Programme to Tiruchirapalli, Dharmapuri and Madurai districts during 2001-2002.

The allocation based Programme is a target oriented Programme and will be phased out by the end of Ninth Plan period. In its place, Total Sanitation Campaign projects will be taken up. The Government of India and the State Government released Rs.182.410 lakh and Rs.144.528 lakh respectively during 2000-2001 under the scheme. As on 31-3-2001, 60785 household toilets, 142 school toilets, 48 complexes for women, 13 rural sanitary marts were completed. During 2001-2002, 18358 individual sanitary latrines, 10 sanitary complexes for women, 33 school toilets for girls students and 2 sanitary marts are proposed to be taken up.

2. Danida Assisted Water Supply and Sanitation Demand Project in Cuddalore and Villupuram Districts

WASDEP aims to improve health and sanitary condition in the project area villages through integrated approach to provide safe drinking water and sanitation. In continuation of implementation in Marakanam and Parangipettai blocks, on pilot basis, this new project was extended to the entire Cuddalore and Villupuram districts at a total cost of Rs. 42.97 crore. The main objective of this project is to provide sustainable water supply and improved sanitary conditions in the project areas through participatory and demand driven approach. This project is also facilitating to achieve immediate objectives like improved sustainable systems of community-managed maintenance of water supply installations in the project area based on improved and applied knowledge amongst relevant Government staff and project beneficiaries. Regulation of ground water extraction and the importance of sanitary environments and hygiene in the rural areas are also achieved.

The project was originally planned for a four years period ending 1st October 2000. But the following negotiations between Governments an extension in two phases upto 31st March 2002 for all activities and further to 31st March 2004 for consolidation has been formally agreed.

Against the project target of 350 water supply works, 30000 individual household latrines and 700 institutional latrines, so far 242 water supply works, 11042 individual household latrines, 316 institutional latrines were completed. Expenditure has been incurred to the tune of Rs.599.46 crore. During 2000-2001, Rs.7.00 crore was released. A provision of Rs.7.96 crore is made in the Budget for 2001-2002.

The Operation Black Board Scheme, a sub scheme of JGSY aims at construction of School Buildings in respect of those schools which are not having even a single pucca building. The unit cost of each school building is Rs.3.15 lakh of which Rs.2.13 lakh is for school building, 0.62 lakh is for varandah and Rs.0.40 lakh is for construction of two toilets, one for boys and another for girls. The cost of buildings will be shared by the Government of India and the State Government in the ratio of 45:55. The State share of 55% will be met by the Rural Development Department (15%) and the Education Department (40%). The entire cost of varandha and toilet should be borne by State Education Department. Accordingly the GOI have released a sum of Rs.922.65 lakh being the 45% of the building cost towards the construction of 960 primary school buildings during March 2000. The Rural Development Department share of 15% of the building cost (i.e.) Rs.307.56 lakh has been released. A sum of Rs.1571.85 lakh has been released by State Education Department from the funds available under PMGY Education component and Rs.227.48 lakh from the State discretionary component of the PMGY Scheme. With the total available funds of Rs.3029.54 lakh for 960 school buildings and 1920 toilets were taken up. Further during March 2001, the GOI released a sum of Rs.500.00 lakh additionally for construction of school building for the primary schools. The State share of Rs.166.67 lakh has been released. With the total amount of Rs.666.67 lakh, 192 primary school buildings will be taken up during 2001-2002.

In Tamil Nadu, there are 41,915 Irrigation Tanks, out of which 23,156 are Panchayat Union Tanks. 8,903 are PWD Tanks and 9,856 are Ex-zamin Tanks. Minor Irrigation Tanks with ayacut area of less than 40 hectares (100 acres) are under the control of Panchayat Union. Minor Irrigation Tanks are the best flood moderators and drought mitigators in the villages and provide livelihood for the marginalised people in rainfed areas. Tanks contribute to almost a quarter of irrigated agriculture in Tamil Nadu.

The conditions of Minor Irrigation Tanks in the State, are deteriorating year by year. Many have fast disappeared after years of siltation, encroachment and rapid urbanization. The steady deterioration had resulted in depletion of ground water, severe shortage of water for irrigation, domestic consumption and water for cattle.

The Government recognizes the importance of Minor Irrigation Tanks and its contribution to stabilize agricultural production and productivity and to raise sources of fuel wood and fodder in the villages.

It is proposed to take up "One Time Catch up Exercise" of rehabilitation of Minor Irrigation Tanks to conserve rain water as the tanks are the traditional rain water harvesting structures and community water tanks.

The specific objectives of the "One Time Catch Up Exercise" of rehabilitation of Minor Irrigation Tanks are desilting and deepening of tanks beds and eviction of encroachments, strengthening of tank bund, desilting of supply / feeder channel and repairs to sluices and surplus weirs.

A project proposal is prepared at a cost of Rs.1157.80 crore to cover 23,156 Minor Irrigation Tanks in all 29 districts in Tamil Nadu. The allocation in the programme will be shared by the Government of India, State Government and the public contribution in the ratio of 50:25:25.

The Government of India introduced this scheme in 1993. Each MP(Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) was allotted Rs.1.00 crore per annum to take up developmental works in his constituency. This was increased to Rs.2.00 crore per annum per M.P. from February 1999. The District Collectors and Commissioner of Corporation of Chennai implement the scheme.

There are 39 Lok Sabha MPs and 18 Rajya Sabha MPs in the state and Rs.57 crore is received annually from GOI under this scheme. During 2000-2001 the GOI have released Rs.106.50 crore out of the allocation of Rs.114.00 crore. This scheme, being a rolling one, funds are claimed from the GOI as and when the expenditure exceeds 50% of the available funds.

National Programme of Improved Chulha is a centrally sponsored programme fully funded by the Government of India with the aim to conserve fuel energy to provide better cooking medium for women by clliminating smoke and to prevent deforestation. Promotion of semi-permanent Chulha with a life span of atleast five years is envisaged during the current year for which increased subsidy @ Rs. 80/- per Chulha is allowed by Government of India. During 2000-2001, 67321 number of Chulhas were provided to rural households. The total outlay for the scheme for 2000-2001 was Rs. 60.00 lakh which includes publicity and staff cost. It is proposed to take up 60,000 chulhas in the year 2001-2002.

This programme aims at promoting eco-friendly Non-Conventional Energy Source with multiple benefits. This is a fully centrally sponsored Programme with a subsidy component of Rs. 1800/- for general category and Rs.2300/- for scheduled category. During 2000-2001, 2009 Biogas plants were constructed. The total outlay for the scheme for 2000-2001 was Rs. 68.60 lakh which includes publicity and staff cost also. It is proposed to take up 2000 plants in the year 2001-2002.

Anna Marumalarchi Thittam is a holistic development programme to provide all necessary basic amenities and infrastructure to improve the standard of living of the people through convergence of programmes and make such villages as a model of socio-economic development. There are 212 Rural Assembly Constituencies in Tamil Nadu. Every year one Village Panchayat in each Rural Assembly Constituency will be identified for the implementation of this programme by giving priority to the villages on certain pre-determined criteria. The scheme will focus on participatory planning and implementation through Village Panchayats for covering key sectors like potable drinking water, education, health care, nutrition, housing street lights, roads and lanes, fair price shops, etc. This scheme will cover all the eligible beneficiaries under social security programmes. Therefore, the scheme essentially includes individual beneficiary programmes for enhancing the livelihood opportunities of rural poor with poverty alleviation, employment assurance and housing programmes besides, strengthening the village infra-structure and basic amenities.

The Government introduces Village Self Sufficiency Scheme which is a participatory demand driven scheme to promote and strengthen the self help and self reliant attitude of the village community. The scheme involves the village community directly in the developmental process in planning resource mobilisation, execution and maintenance. The Government will provide technical support besides financial assistance supplementing the efforts of the community. This scheme gives enough scope for covering all the felt needs of the public. It is flexible to take contribution, which is stipulated at not less than 25%, either in the form of cash or kind or labour. Instead of Government laying down the activity to be taken up in villages, the needs of the community would be assessed and prioritised by the community themselves by convening the Grama Sabha to get the specific works to be undertaken in the village and they will be encouraged to actively contribute to the development efforts of the community. The pre-requisite of the scheme is a clear articulation of felt needs of the village.

The Member of Legislative Assembly Constituency Development Scheme was launched as a fully State funded scheme in 1997-98 with an allotment of Rs.25 lakh per Constituency for taking up works to bridge the critical infra-structural gaps. The State Government enhanced the allocation to Rs.35 lakh during 1998-99 and to Rs.50 lakh in 1999-2000. For the year 2000-2001, the allocation was stepped up to Rs.77.00 lakh for each Assembly Constituency. For the year 2001-2002, the allocation has been increased to Rs.82.00 lakh for each Assembly Constituency.

For the year 2001-2002 a sum of Rs.192.70 crore has been provided in the Budget.

Important works like integrated rural sanitary complex for women, construction of hostels for SC/ST, BC/MBC students, and for construction of office building for Village Administrative Officers in the Panchayat office building, will be taken up under the scheme.

The Government of Tamil Nadu have formulated various schemes to improve the health and nutritional status of children and develop their mental and physical ability. The pioneer among them is Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Nutritious Meal Programme for school children above 5 years of age studying in schools from Standard I to X. The Scheme was introduced in the rural areas from 1.7.82 and in urban areas from 15.9.82 and is being implemented through Nutritious Meal Programme Centres located in Schools.

From 15.8.1995, the Government of India through Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Education is supplying rice, free of cost, for providing Mid-day meal to primary school children studying in I to V standard at 100 grams per child per day for 10 months in an academic year, under National programme of Nutritional support to primary education. As there is already a good infrastructure available under Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R Nutritious Meal Programme, the rice allotted under this scheme is converted into cooked food and supplied to children. A sum of Rs.154.97 crore is provided for the current year.

The State Government allocated 8% of the Pool-B revenue which has resulted in the devolution of Rs.453.73 crore during 1998-99, Rs.455.06 crore during 1999-2000 and Rs.577.80 crore during 2000-2001. This is inclusive of Rs.73.25 crore during 1998-99, Rs.73.46 crore during 1999-2000 and Rs.93.28 crore in 2000-2001 as released Equalisation and Incentive fund. Allocation to the rural local bodies was shared between Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions and District Panchayats at the ratio of 47:45:8 from 1998-99. During 2001-2002 devolution of Rs.517.32 crore is devolved to rural local bodies.

The Second State Finance Commission submitted its report recommending series of measures to improve the revenue resources of the local bodies.

Under Eleventh Finance Commission grant a sum of Rs.186.44 crore has been allotted to Rural Local Bodies during 2001-2002 which includes Rs.93.22 crore for 2000-2001. Out of this Rs.155.30 crore is provided to Village Panchayats and Panchayat Unions for maintenance of Civic Services and Rs.31.14 crore for maintenance of accounts and audit and for development of data base.

Consequent to the 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India, the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 was enacted. After the first ordinary Elections held in October 1996, the next ordinary election is due in October 2001. The Tamil Nadu State Election Commission has already initiated the preparatory works for the conduct of elections.

In order to conduct forthcoming ordinary election to local bodies, it has been decided not to change the territorial areas of the wards in local bodies on the boundaries of the local bodies from the one that is existing as on date. The reservation policy adopted in 1996 local bodies election for SC, ST, Women will continue. The census data of 1991 will be applied for 2001 ordinary election of local bodies too. The required additional staff for conduct of local bodies election in 2001 has been sanctioned on the same pattern as was done in 1996 election. The reservation of wards and the position of Chairpersons in rural local bodies to follow in the 2001 local bodies election will be the same as in 1996 election. Necessary provision has been made in the rules for rotation of the ten years period.

As outlined in the Governor's Address, there is large scale omission of names in the electoral rolls prepared recently for the General election to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly made in 2001. Our Honourable Chief Minister has taken up this issue with the Election Commission of India and requested to rectify the anomalies and to consider the revision of rolls before the ensuing election to the local bodies.

The expenses for the conduct of election for the local bodies are borne by the State Government. For conduct of election a sum of Rs.41.15 crore is provided in the Budget.

Government provides financial assistance as non-matching grant for improving the communication, publicity, etc. for the supply of magazines namely Tamilarasu and Thittam to 385 Panchayat Unions and all Village Panchayats. This grant is also utilized for all India Trade Fair and Republic day float. For the year 2001-2002, a provision of Rs.27.84 lakh is made in the Budget.

Establishment and maintenance of the rural dispensary is vested with the Panchayat Unions. Each Panchayat Union is eligible for the financial assistance by way of grant-in-aid to cover 50% of the expenditure on the maintenance of regular dispensary subject to a ceiling of Rs.5400/-. This grant is applicable to the regular dispensaries already functioning in the Panchayat Unions and included in the approved list. In the case of rural dispensaries grant is provided at the rate of Rs.2040/-. In the case of new dispensaries to be opened, 100% grant is provided to Panchayat Union subject to the financial position of the Panchayat Unions under G.O.Ms.No.1168 Health and Family Welfare Department dated 18-07-1983. During 2001-2002, a sum of Rs.8.06 lakh is provided in Budget.

Minor Irrigation Tanks which are not part of system tanks with less than 100 acres ayacut are maintained by Panchayat Union. A programme for the maintenance of all Minor Irrigation Tanks in each Panchayat Union is drawn up, for five year cycle system. During 2001-2002 a sum of Rs.1.00 crore is provided in the Budget.

Due to rapid growth of new habitations and also new extension area, there are still uncovered areas where street lights have not been provided. The installation of new street lights will be taken up under different schemes like MLACDS, MPLADS etc.

The rural local bodies have been advised to install only tube lights instead of Sodium Vapour lamps because of high cost, increased maintenance cost and heavy current consumption charges.

There shall be a Grama Sabha for every Village Panchayat consisting of persons registered in the electoral roll relating to the panchayat village comprised within the area of the said village panchayat. The Grama Sabha shall approve the village plan, approve the village budget for the year and review the progress of the implementation of the all schemes entrusted to the village panchayat.

The Grama Sabha meetings are held four times in a year. The Government appoint nodal officers in each district to watch the conduct of Grama Sabha meetings.

Tamil Nadu is one of the pioneering states to enact new Panchayats Act after 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act came into force. Accordingly Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994 was enacted.

The process of empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions facilitates functional and financial decentralization to bring about socio-economic development at the village level. This functional decentralisation includes among others resource appraisal and preparation of district development plan for economic growth with social justice, through participatory process. The Second State Finance Commission's report on Devolution of powers to the various tiers are under study and appropriate decisions will be arrived at by the Government. This Government is committed to strengthen Panchayat Raj Institutions by facilitating effective participation of elected representatives. Therefore, as a thrust approach, it is planned to develop and use appropriate training methods and materials to improve the knowledge and skill of elected representatives. The training modules and training materials have been developed with the above objective in view. The performance of the rural local bodies is closely monitored by the State Government and this Government will delegate appropriate powers to the local bodies to make them functionally effective and financially sound.

The District Rural Development Agency has been the prime mover in implementing different anti poverty programmes. Over the years, DRDAs have emerged as the sole co-ordinating agency at district level to monitor all development programmes. Therefore the Government of India decided to make this body more professional and effective. As a measure towards this direction, the Government of India introduced a separate centrally sponsored scheme of DRDA Administration instead of meeting the administrative cost from different programmes as it was done earlier.

The new scheme of DRDA Administration took effect from 1.4.99. The scheme is funded on 75:25 basis respectively among the Central and State Governments. Under the new scheme, districts have been classified as (a) Category A with less than 5 blocks (b) Category B with 6 to 10 blocks (c) Category C with 11 to 15 blocks and (d)Category D with 16 or more blocks. The guidelines fixes an annual entitlement for each category of district with provision for 5% increase every year.

During 2001-2002 the Government of India have fixed the allotment at Rs.16.06 crore.

A sum of Rs.466.41 lakh has been provided in the Budget as State matching grant.

The State Institute of Rural Development has been functioning as an autonomous apex training institution from 1991 at Maraimalai Nagar in Kancheepuram District. The required infrastructure facilities such as guest house, library, computer centre, audio visual facilities, etc., are available in the self contained administrative complex. Funds for the functioning of SIRD is provided in the form of grants in aid. Personnel of Rural Development Department from the cadre of BDO and above are also given training in State Institute of Rural Development. Faculty of SIRD are conducting research and evaluation studies on Rural Development Programmes. During 2001-2002 a sum of Rs.58.42 lakh is provided in the Budget Estimate.

Government of India has provided a sum of Rs.23.16 lakh for providing infrastructure facilities to State Institute of Rural Development.

There are five Rural Extension Training Centres imparting training to both officials and elected representatives of the Panchayat Raj institutions to improve the knowledge and skill through capacity building. The five Rural Extension Training Centres are located at S.V.Nagaram, Pattukkottai , Krishnagiri , T.Kallupatti and Bhavanisagar.

The Government of India provide funds to meet the non-recurring expenditure of RETCs. Out of this amount, the works like upgradation of hostel facilities, Renovation and construction of office buildings, purchase of training kits for giving training are taken up. Apart from the Government of India, the State Government provides funds for meeting administrative expenditure.

Revised scheme of training will be given to the new generation of 3 tier Rural Local Bodies in tune with changing needs of the Panchayat Raj Institutions. Accordingly, training for 1320 Non officials in 44 batches and for 1800 officials in 60 batches will be conducted in the SIRD. Similarly, training for 23805 non-officials in 529 batches and 14,445 officials in 325 batches will be conducted in the RETCs. A sum of Rs.143 lakh has been provided under DDP for this purpose. A sum of Rs.28.78 lakh is allotted to the Rural Extension Training Centres in the year 2001-2002.