Rural Development

POLICY NOTE -  2004- 2005

DEMAND No. 40

1. Introduction

Tamil Nadu has been witnessing revolutionary and far-reaching changes in the last three years.  Under the dynamic and inspiring leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, development activities in rural areas have reached an unprecedented momentum.  The Hon’ble Chief Minister has announced a novel scheme, Namadhu Gramam in the current year, which will consolidate efforts made so far for strengthening grass root institutions of democracy and give a new impetus to participatory governance.  The holistic development of rural Panchayats incorporating and integrating the hardware and software components of all aspects of rural development will be the hallmark of the scheme.

 Namadhu Gramam will focus on,

• Resource mapping and community mobilisation for village development

• Micro planning and prioritisation of needs among Village communities

• Convergence of funds and functionaries of all schemes at the village level

• Community led improvement in the overall quality of life.

Under the scheme, each Village Panchayat will actively pursue development goals as per the priorities set out by the village community through the  gramsabhas.

Another revolutionary new scheme will be implemented in the year 2004-2005 for empowerment and poverty reduction, targeting the ultra poor in every village.

2. Performance Highlights  of  2003-04

Due to sustained efforts for successful implementation of ongoing programmes during 2003-04 the Department was able to utilize  Rs.2107.28 crores  which is, 24 % higher than the utilization in the year 2002-2003.    With this amount the Department took up various developmental activities including a record number of 746787 works, an increase of 88% over 396199 works taken up during 2002-03.

The special achievements of the Government during  the  year are highlighted  below

 2.1 Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Announcements

The Hon’ble  Chief Minister with concern for  environmental  sustenance  in all  developmental activities has ordered on 16-7-2003 to utilise the  waste plastic for laying  roads and to take up 1000 kms of roads with plastic mixed bituminous  surface. This  target   has been  surpassed with 1200  kms  of plastic mixed bitumen roads  being completed during  the year.  This  new initiative   while  providing savings in cost,  improved quality of the roads besides  giving   safe disposal mechanism  for  waste plastics.   As an important ancillary, 3700 SGSY Self Help Group members were able to generate additional employment through waste plastic collection and shredding activity.  This multi dimensional initiative won the appreciation of Government of India.

The dual objective of protecting  environmental health and personal hygiene found expression in the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s announcement  of  linking  toilets with bio-gas plants.  Against the target  1000,  1254 Individual Household Latrines have been linked with bio gas plants which provided fuel for cooking,  free of  cost to the house hold in addition to  environmental sanitation.

Apart from 1200 Individual Household Toilets, 26 no. of Integrated Sanitary Complexes for Women were linked with bio gas plants thereby enabling  to meet   the energy requirements of these complexes.

Another innovative effort of the Hon’ble Chief Minister was directed at bringing down Current Consumption Charges of the Village Panchayat by ordering installation of 1000 solar powered street lights for the year 2003-04.  Against this number, a whopping 3072 solar powered street lights have been installed which is 300% over the target.

The Clean Village Campaign launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister  enthused the Village Panchayats to actively take part in environment  cleaning efforts  which has resulted in construction of 10,00,227 individual household latrines, 5,965 school toilets and 8709 integrated sanitary complexes for women.  35 Village Panchayats  have reached the qualifying  stage for receiving incentive funds earmarked under the  Clean Village Campaign.

 2. 2 Employment Generation

The Government took measures on a massive scale under Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) to provide alternate  employment to the rural poor, thereby alleviating  the sufferings caused by  seasonal  vagaries and continuing  drought. 

•  Government of India, impressed by the excellent performance of the State enhanced the annual allotment for the year 2003-2004 to Rs.256.20 crore which is 16% over the allotment of Rs. 220.86 crore in   2002-03.

• Further, additional allotment of Rs.54.90 crore  was also provided which is 21% over the annual allotment of Rs.256.20 crore.   37338 MT of rice was also  released in addition to  the original  allotment of 207288 MT  an increase of 18% .

• Over 1,26,000 lakh employment-generating works including 11896 Village Tanks, 6651 Threshing Floors and  6801 Buildings for SHGs  were taken  up during the year against the  programmed 1,00,000 works.

• Special attention was given to provide succour to the  landless  agricultural labourers who had to bear  the  brunt of the  worst  drought  ever faced  by the State.  With the  combined efforts of Rural Development Department and other Government  departments, 49,200  labour  intensive works were taken  up under the  Food for work  programme  involving Rs.85.48 crore  and 4,50,000 MTs. of food-grains spread over  the 12,618 Village Panchayats in the State.   This  resulted in generation of 6.30 crore mandays  of employment . 

 2. 3 Poverty Alleviation

Sustained efforts for  Poverty alleviation found  comprehensive expression in the implementation of the Swarnjayanthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana.

• Due to continuous outstanding performance of the State the annual  allotment for the year was enhanced to Rs.49.90 crore, which was an increase of 32% over 2002-03.

• The Rural Bazaar website launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 14.7.2003 opened a new chapter in the marketing strategy of rural products.

• District Supply and Marketing Societies were formed in all districts to accelerate market promotional efforts for rural products.

• The department worked in close coordination with the Tamilnadu Corporation for Development  of Women in providing a common platform for the Panchayat  Raj Institutions and Self Help Groups to work together in poverty reduction initiatives.

• Self Help Groups were given training in modern and export oriented design development in Jute, Leather and Garment Making at  the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology. 

• Revitalisation of traditional health practices was given importance by extending support to Irula tribes in herbal product production.   Specific focus was given to designing and  packaging of  herbal products.

• A special project was implemented at a cost of Rs.25 crore covering 24,000 poor weaver families in 13 districts. The project covers design development, skill upgradation, technology upgradation, value addition and   market promotion  in handloom weaving. This would involve training and capacity building of  designers  and weavers in ethnic  wear and dress materials, home furnishing and upholstery  material , made-ups  and sarees with thematic inspiration.

• Special projects worth of Rs.8.11 crore were sanctioned for assisting  physically disabled persons in Coimbatore, Thoothukudi and Ramanathapuram districts.

• RASI (Rural Access to Services through Internet) centres run by Self Help Groups increased to 626 covering 23 districts from 166 centres formed in 10 districts during  2002-03.

• EDP Training  was given to 32,336 rural women.

 2. 4 Rural Sanitation

• The Total Sanitation Campaign was extended to Tiruvallur, Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai, Nilgiris, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts at a cost Rs.79.12 crore in addition to the  22 districts which have  projects already sanctioned. The State  achieved the rare distinction of implementing the National Programme in all districts.

• The Government of India have appreciated various efforts taken by the State Government to promote Rural Sanitation.

• The UNICEF has also appreciated the performance and congratulated Tamilnadu Government as Lead Performer in the country in implementing the Total Sanitation Campaign.

• Rural Sanitation coverage in the state has gone up from 15 %  in 2001 to 40 % in 2004.

• A State level Rural Sanitation Society was formed to coordinate with various departments and agencies for effective implementation of the  programme.

• 1020 Self Help Group members were trained in, producing  cost effective sanitary wares and low-cost and low- water toilets.  Self Help Groups were  given hands on training on production of sanitary wares in other States.

• Exclusive “Logo” was developed, depicting the concept and components of Total Sanitation Campaign.

• Special financial assistance of Rs.12,000/- per unit per year was provided for maintenance of all the 8709 Integrated Sanitary Complexes for Women.

2.5 Rural Roads

 2.5.1 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

• Excellent performance under this  programme enabled the State to get an additional allotment of Rs.84.78 crore during the year which is 106% of normal allotment of Rs.80 crore.  With this increased allocation 1114 Kms of roads with 2198 Cross Drainage works were taken up, benefiting 6,80,232 people spread over  907 habitations.

• National Quality Monitors of Government of India have given top rating of  Very Good for the  roads constructed under the programme.

 2.5.2. State Programme

• For the first time, maintenance of 5850 kms of unclassified  roads and worn out BT road under the Panchayat Union and Village Panchayats were taken up in two phases at a cost of Rs.300 crore exclusively provided by  the  State  Government.

• As a result of this special effort a record number of 581 additional roads have become  bus plying  roads providing easy accessibility to the villages.

• Technical monitoring was strengthened for the State funded road works by appointing State Quality Monitors on the pattern of the PMGSY.

 2.5.3 Special Initiatives

• New initiatives and innovations  were tried out in laying roads  with waste  plastic mixed bitumen (1204 Kms),  rubber mixed  bitumen (25.8 Kms) and fly ash mixed  concrete (17.40 Kms)

 2.6. Rural Housing

• Effective  implementation of Rural Housing Programme  enabled the State to get enhanced allotment of Rs.10.71 crore under Indira Awaaz Yojana, an increase of 13.25%  over the previous year.

• 36,633 IAY houses for the year were provided with Reinforced Cement Concrete roofs benefitting nearly 1.83 lakh family members. The entire cost of roofing was borne by the State at the rate of Rs.12000 per house.

• 19345 families who were living in miserable conditions in temporary thatched decrepit houses were provided pucca houses with the benefit reaching nearly 1.00 lakh members.

• Instead of  following the age old techniques of cement, brick and mortar in construction of buildings, alternative technologies adopting materials available in the village, coupled with cost effective techniques were tried out in  nearly 2000 buildings   which has resulted in providing more utility area at the same cost.

• No innovations/experiments can be successful without the involvement of local leaders. With the objective of making the cost effective experiments and innovations successful and sustained, motivated and dynamic Panchayat leaders were identified and trained in  cost effective alternative technology  best practices in different parts of the State.

• Nearly 100 members of Dynamic Self Help Groups were also  trained as Masons  in cost effective building technology.

• Efforts were taken to link toilets of IAY houses with bio gas plants as an in built feature of the scheme.  As a pilot model 1254 household toilets were linked to bio-gas plant throughout Tamilnadu during the year  2003-2004.  This is a National level record and the scheme is becoming extremely popular.

2.7. Rain Water Harvesting

The clarion call of the Hon’ble Chief Minister to  save water as a wealth gave tremendous impetus to Rain Water Harvesting Programme and promoted it as a mass movement.

• The Tamil Nadu Panchayat Building Rules was  amended and provision made for Rain Water harvesting as  a pre-condition for building plan approval.

• 66,91,965 Roof top Rain Water Harvesting Structures were created, covering 100%  of the  target.

• 1,36,026 surface level Rain Water Harvesting structures were created covering 100% of the target.

• IEC activities were continued  to sustain the programme.

• The President of Michaelpattinam Village Panchayat of Ramanthapuram District was invited by World Bank  Headquarters in Washington for  presenting a project for mitigating rural poverty through Rain Water Harvesting,  which is the first of its kind in the country. The proposal was one among 2300 entries received  by the World Bank from all over the World and was selected as one of the finalists, at an international level.  This achievement was truly spectacular for a village level local body.

2.8 Panchayat Raj Administration

• 18,672 elected representatives, 12,304 Departmental functionaries,  2835 SHG members  and 321 N.G.Os. were given training for optimisation of skills and abilities  for efficient management of civic services.  

• Training was given to all  12618 Village Panchayat Presidents and Panchayat Assistants on  Village Based Management  systems developed by   DANIDA.

• Continuous monitoring and revenue enhancing measures of the Government has improved the tax collection from Rs.67.73 crore in 2002-03 to Rs.84.09 crore in 2003-04.

• Gramasabha meetings  were made more meaningful   and purposeful and the average attendance rose to    28.23 lakh members in 2003 against 27.90 lakhs in 2002

• Video Conferencing was organised by SIRD on pilot basis to improve contacts between the local bodies and various levels of Panchayat Raj Administration which enabled elected representatives to interact with District and State level officials.

2.9.       Administrative Infrastructural Support

Government provided Rs. 248.77 lakh for improving the administrative infrastructural facilities  of Rural Development Department in order to improve the working conditions  and  effective performance. This includes :- 

• Construction of office buildings for the Panchayat Unions of Kamudhi and R.S.Mangalam in Ramanathapuram District and  Jolarpet in Vellore District  at a cost of Rs.118.00 lakhs.

•  Repairs to Panchayat Union Office buildings at Vadipatti & Usilampatti in Madurai District, Killiyur in Kanniyakumari District, Periyakulam in Theni District and Tenkasi in Tirunelveli District  at a cost of Rs.32.00 lakhs. 

• Human Resource Development and capacity building of PRI functionaries was taken up at a cost of  Rs.50 lakh  covering  29,000 local body representatives.

• Local Area Net work was provided in the  Directorate of Rural Development  for speedy disposal of matters and effective improvement of intra-departmental communication at a cost of Rs.3.77 lakh.

• Provision of  residential quarters cum camp office  for Project Officers of  DRDA of Coimbatore and Kancheepuram  was taken up at a cost of Rs.45.00 lakhs

3. Budget Provision   2004-05 (Rs. in Lakhs)