1.1 The main functions of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department are:

i. Preparation of Five Year Plans and Annual Plans with inputs from State Planning Commission.

ii. Monitoring of Plan Schemes and Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Schemes shared between State and Centre.

iii. Evaluation of Plan Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Externally Aided Projects through Directorate of Evaluation and Applied Research.

iv. Collection, compilation and release of statistical data through Directorate of Economics and Statistics. This includes State Income Estimates, conduct of Economics Census, Agricultural Census and Special Surveys as well as monthly monitoring of the State’s economy.

v. Monitoring of poverty alleviation programmes such as Twenty Point Programme and Prime Minister’s Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY).

vi. Overseeing of District Planning Committees for Decentralised District Planning, through the State Planning Commission.

vii. Overseeing the implementation of Hill Area Development Programme and Western Ghats Development Programme.

viii. Overseeing the functioning of Nodal Officer, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Cell.

ix. Review of progress of major infrastructure projects.

x. Convergence and overseeing of schemes taken up under Special Initiatives.

xi. Coordination of projects taken up under Infrastructure Investment Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area.

xii. Preparation of Plan Budget Link for the Annual Plans.

xiii. Attending the works relating to National Development Committee meetings.

xiv. Coordination of schemes implemented under 15 Point Programme.

xv. Monitoring of release of Central Assistance for Annual Plan Schemes, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Schemes between State and Centre.

xvi. Coordination of the schemes relating to Remote Sensing.

xvii. Overseeing implementation of the schemes under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana.

xviii. The follow up action on the reports of the District Monitoring Officers.

1.2 Brief notes on the main items of work indicated above are given below

1.2.1 The Performance of Five Year Plans

The State Government has been consistently achieving the Plan Outlays from Second Five Year Plan onwards. The approved plan outlays and expenditure from First Five Year Plan till Ninth Five Year Plan are indicated below:

(Rs. in crores)

The per capita Plan outlay during First Five Year Plan was Rs.29 and it was Rs.248 during Fifth Five Year Plan. The higher per capita Plan outlay of Rs.6440 is anticipated during the Tenth Five Year Plan.

1.2.2 Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007)

The approach paper in the National Tenth Plan as approved by the National Development Council on 1^st September 2001 proposed that the Tenth Plan should aim at 8% GDP growth per annum for the period 2002-2007. Based on the above, the State Planning Commission has formulated the Tenth Five Year Plan. An enhanced outlay of Rs.40000 crores has been approved by the Union Planning Commission for Tenth Five Year Plan. Besides envisaging the growth rate of 8%, monitorable targets for key indicators of Human Development has been set in. The goal is to make Tamil Nadu the best State in the country during Tenth Five Year Plan by providing opportunities for a healthy and productive life for all. The Hon'ble Chief Minister's 15 Point Programme has been taken as the road map for development for the Tenth Five year Plan.

1.2.3 Annual Plan 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005

The approved outlays and expenditure during the first two years of the Tenth Five Year Plan are given below:

It is expected that the Annual Plan target for 2004-2005 will be achieved in full.

1.2.4 Annual Plan 2005-2006

During the meeting held between the Deputy Chairman, Union Planning Commission and the Chief Minister on 30.11.2004 at New Delhi, an enhanced development plan outlay of Rs.9100 crores for the Annual Plan for 2005-2006 has been approved. The above outlay represent a major step up over the development Plan outlay for 2004-2005.

1.2.5 Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana

Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (RSVY) is a scheme implemented in five districts viz. Tiruvannamalai, Dindigul, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Sivaganga districts with full support from the Union Planning Commission, Government of India. The main objectives of the scheme are to address the problems of low agricultural productivity, unemployment and to fill critical gaps in physical and social infrastructure. Special Central Assistance of Rs.15 crores would be released annually to each district for three years by the Government of India for implementation of the RSVY programmes. This programme cover soil conservation, afforestation, social forestry, watershed development, minor irrigation, agriculture, horticulture, infrastructure development (roads and power) social sector (health and education) and livelihood support (income generating activities such as handlooms, information technology, agricultural processing, etc.) Per Capita Income and agricultural productivity is expected to improve after the completion of the schemes in three years.

1.2.6 Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Schemes shared between State and Centre

The Centrally Sponsored Schemes (100% funded by Government of India) and Schemes shared between State and Centre implemented by various Departments/Agencies are monitored. The procedure for sanction of Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Schemes shared between State and Centre has been simplified with a view to speedy implementation of schemes. The progress of implementation of the schemes are being monitored on monthly basis at various levels.

1.2.7 Special Initiatives and Projects

As per G.O.Ms.No.31, Planning and Development Department, dated 29.04.2003 the Planning and Development Department has been renamed as Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department to pursue Special Initiatives and Projects, to process innovation schemes that emanate from different sources in consultation with the respective administrative departments of the Secretariat and other line departments.

In pursuance of the above, the following ideas have been taken up for Special Initiatives:-

i. Bio-Mass Energy – Project and Bio-Mass Supply.

ii. Ethanol production from Sugar Mills and Ethanol production from non-molasses sources like sugar beet, sweet sorghum. maize, tapioca and other starchy plants.

iii. Bio-fuel from Jatropha and Paradise Tree.

iv. Hi-Tech farming, etc.,

1.2.8 Hill Area Development Programme

The Hill Area Development Programme is being implemented in the Nilgiris District since the year 1975-76 (the inception of Fifth Five Year Plan) with the financial assistance (90% Grant and 10% Loan) from the Government of India with a view to supplement the efforts of the State Government in preservation, protection and enrichment of bio-diversity. The main objectives of the programme are ecological preservation, Eco-restoration and Eco-development besides taking care of the Socio-economic developmental needs of the district. The implementation strategy is now geared to the integrated watershed approach, whereby all the different sectors are developed simultaneously in selected priority watershed to enable optimization of results and recharge of the water tables. The district has been delineated into 75 major watersheds on the basis of the drainage pattern.

This programme is being implemented in the entire Nilgiris District divided into four blocks of six taluks. Soil Conservation, Horticulture, Forestry are the core sectors under this programme. Besides, importance is also accorded to the Welfare of SC/ST, Human Resources Development, Development of Local Bodies, Medical and Public Health, Roads, Tourism, Sericulture, Rural Energy Conservation, Remote Sensing, etc., by providing substantial funds.

The Nilgiris District, which forms an integral part of the Western Ghats and which has an area of 2545 Sq. Kms. is located at the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats and has an average elevation of 2000 Mts. above the Mean Sea Level, the highest peak being Doddabetta (2640 Mts. above the Mean Sea Level). The area coming under forest is 142579 Ha, which is 56.03%, and the area coming under cultivation is 78800 Ha. The Non-Food crops are cultivated in nearly 65% of the area and Food Crops in the balance 35%. Tea and Coffee are major Non-Food Crops grown and Tea is grown in over 50% of the total area.

The major thrust during the present plan period is given for area development. Soil erosion was identified as the major problem due to improper drainage pattern, unscientific practices, etc.

Specific objectives of the programmes are given below:

• To preserve and conserve extremely fragile tropical eco-system i.e., sholas and grasslands of Nilgiris.

• Development of land use plan for forest area as well as cultivated areas on the basis of slope levels and other climatic, ecological considerations.

• Conserve soil and water to increase productivity of the land by predominantly using vegetative methods and changing the cropping pattern.

• Promote non-land based economic activities to uplift the poor people and to ensure environment protection.

• Economic up-liftment of tribals in isolated locations and settlements.

• Manage the human pressures on eco-system through comprehensive human settlement policy and discourage migration.

• "Area based Approach" will be given top priority. Integrated plans shall be prepared for all watersheds and high priority watershed shall be chosen for treatment.

• Use of scientific interventions will be encouraged i.e., application of Remote Sensing, etc.,

• Promotion of Non-Conventional Energy Sources i.e. Solar, Hydro, Bio-gas, etc.

The Union Planning Commission, Government of India has released a sum of Rs.10744 lakhs for the schemes implemented under HADP in the Nilgiris District during the IXth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) period.

Under the Tenth Five Year Plan, a sum of Rs.2210.00 lakhs each has been approved under HADP for the year 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 respectively. Actual implementation is done by the concerned line departments. Soil Conservation, Preservation of Bio-diversity are given the prime importance on watershed basis in the inter allocation.

For the Annual Plan 2005-2006 (4^th year of the Tenth Five Year Plan), the outlay of Rs.2210.00 lakhs under HADP has been tentatively approved by the Union Planning Commission. The proposals for the same were obtained by the Project Director, HADP from the concerned Heads of Department and finalized at the Annual Plan meeting. The Annual Plan document prepared for the year 2005-2006 has been sent to Union Planning Commission for approval. Necessary provisions for the above sectors have been made in the Budget Estimate 2005-2006 under the respective Demands for Grants.

1.2.9 Western Ghats Development Programme

Western Ghats Development Programme was initiated in Tamil Nadu during 1975-76 with financial assistance (90% grant and 10% loan) from the Government of India.

The Western Ghats region in Tamil Nadu spreads over 26,000 Sq.Kms. i.e., around 20% of the total area of Tamil Nadu. This Programme is presently implemented in 8 Districts covering 57 Blocks in 33 Taluks of Tamil Nadu. Theni and Kanyakumari Districts are fully covered under WGDP.

The broad objectives of this programme are as follows: -

i. Maintenance of the ecological balance essential for life support systems.

ii. Preserve genetic diversity.

iii. Restoration of ecological damage caused by human interaction.

iv. Creation of awareness among the people and educating them on the far-reaching implications of ecological degradation and securing their active participation for the eco-development schemes.

Under this Programme, the main developmental activities undertaken are Soil conservation, Horticulture, Forestry, Minor Irrigation, Rural roads, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Sericulture, Remote Sensing and Palm Products Development. Eighty percent of the total outlay is set apart for three major sectors such as Soil Conservation, Horticulture and Forestry.

For the IX Five Year Plan period, a sum of Rs. 51.50 crores was received from the Union Planning Commission, Government of India as Special Central Assistance for Western Ghats Development Programme.

For the first three years of the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007) i.e., 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and
2004-2005, an outlay of Rs.1099.00 lakhs was approved for each year by the Union Planning Commission. Actual implementation of schemes is done by the concerned line departments, and under the overall supervision of the District Collector concerned. Soil Conservation, Horticulture and preservation of Bio-diversity are given the prime importance on watershed basis in the allocation.

For the Annual Plan 2005-2006, an outlay of Rs. 1099.00 lakhs has been tentatively approved by the Union Planning Commission. The proposals for the same were obtained from concerned Heads of Departments and finalized at the Annual Plan meeting. The Annual Plan document thus prepared for the year 2005-2006 has been sent to the Union Planning Commission for approval. Provision for funding the implementation of various schemes has been made under the respective Demands for Grants.

1.2.10 Twenty Point Programme

This is a poverty alleviation programme being implemented since 1986. The main components are Distribution of Surplus Land, Rural Health, Rural Housing, Child Welfare, Rural Water Supply, Rural Electrification, Bio-gas Plants, Employment generation and Welfare of SC/ST. Monthly reviews are being undertaken both at the State and All India Levels.

1.2.11 Evaluation of Major Programme

Evaluation of Schemes to ensure that the benefits actually reach the targeted population is an important function of the Department. Both concurrent and terminal evaluations are done by Directorate of Evaluation and Applied Research and the outcomes are analysed and course corrections and policy changes, if any, are suggested to Government.

The nodal Cell formed to coordinate matters relating to World Trade Organisation as per G.O.Ms.121, Planning and Development Department, dated 19.11.2001 is functioning in Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department. Seminars on World Trade Organisation challenge to State Agriculture Sector was conducted. A Seminar on challenges faced by Textile Industry, especially Apparels Industry, from the globalisations of market brought in by World Trade Organisation was held in the stake holders in Tiruppur. Developments in various fields are watched and concerned departments are advised to take follow up action.

The departments under the administrative control of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department are as follows:-

(i) State Planning Commission

(ii) Department of Economics and Statistics

(iii) Department of Evaluation and Applied Research

The functions of the above departments are given briefly in the following pages.

2.1 The State Planning Commission was constituted in Tamil Nadu on 25^th May 1971 and reconstituted on 17.09.2001, with the Hon'ble Chief Minister as its Chairperson. Dr. V.S. Arunachalam is the Vice Chairman. There is a full time Member and a Member-Secretary of the State Planning Commission. The Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary to Government (Finance), the Secretary to Government (Planning, Development & Special Initiatives) and the Secretary to Government (Agriculture) are ex-officio Members.

2.2 The main responsibilities / functions of the Commission are:

i. Preparation of Five Year Plans and Annual Plans based on the policies and priorities of the Government.

ii. Setting Monitorable targets for key performance areas in consonance with the macro goals specified in the Tenth Plan and undertake periodical monitoring of such targets.

iii. Undertake evaluation studies through Director of Evaluation and Applied Research to study the socio-economic outcomes of Government programmes.

iv. Monitor Tamil Nadu economy and send reports to Government on trends and areas of concern.

v. Co-ordinate activities under Decentralised District Planning and oversee the preparation of Village, Block and District Plans and

vi. Render advice to Government on policies, programmes and procedures considered necessary to achieve the goals of the Five Year Plans and on simplification and rationalisation of procedures to attract higher investments.

2.3 Monitoring of Tamil Nadu's Economy

The State Planning Commission has been entrusted by the State Government, the task of analysing the trend of State Economy to enable the Government to take remedial measures.

2.4 Decentralised District Planning

The District Planning Committees (DPCs) have been constituted in all the districts in the State. District Planning Cells have also been created in all the districts to assist the DPCs in the preparation of plan. The State Planning Commission has prepared detailed guidelines for the preparation of development plans by the respective local bodies.

A small nucleus cell under the chairmanship of Dr. V.S. Arunachalam, Vice-Chairman, State Planning Commission is looking after the functions of the State Land Use Board.

With effect from 01.04.2000, the Government of India is providing assistance to States for development of Agriculture under Macro Management Mode Approach. The outlay for the work plan proposals are shared in the ratio of 90 (Central): 10 (State). The central assistance to the State will be in the ratio of 80 (grant): 20 (loan). During 2004-05, the assistance received from the Centre was Rs.48.60 lakhs and the State's matching share was Rs. 5.40 lakhs.

2.5 Human Development Report for Tamil Nadu

The State Planning Commission has brought out its first Human Development Report highlighting the developments of the districts in social and economic aspects. The Hon'ble Chief Minister released the Report on 14^th July 2003.

2.7 Preparation of Tenth Five Year Plan and Annual Plan (2005-2006)

The State Planning Commission has already formulated the Tenth Five Year Plan by constituting Steering Committees and Working Groups for various sectors of the economy. The Annual Plan for 2005-2006, the Fourth Year of the Tenth Plan is being prepared by State Planning Commission keeping in view of the monitarable targets setout in the Tenth Plan.

2.8 New Schemes for 2005-2006

1. Preparation of Annual Plan and Mid Term Appraisal - Rs.1.50 lakhs

2. Conduct of Workshops / Seminar / Meetings / Conferences / Studies - Rs.7.00 lakhs

3. Extension of Electronic File Processing System implemented at Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Department, Secretariat to the Heads of Department - Rs.1.70 lakhs

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS

3.1 The Department of Economics and Statistics is the apex statistical agency in the State. The main functions of the Department are coordinating statistical activities in the State, collection, compilation, analysis and release of reports in various sectors like Agriculture, Industries, Price Indices, etc.,

3.2 The following Schemes are implemented by the Department of Economics and Statistics

A) State Schemes

1. National Sample Survey Wing

National Sample Survey is a nation wide large scale continuing multi subject integrated survey covering mainly of unorganized sectors of the economy conducted in successive rounds. It provides data on Socio-economic characteristics of the people with a provision for the preparation of estimates over different subjects based on the survey.

2. Modernisation of Data Collection and Management System

This is undertaken by upgradation of computer systems and training of personnel.

B) Centrally Sponsored Schemes

1. Agricultural Census

Agricultural Census seeks to retabulate the size, structure and tenure of farm units from relevant land records with operational holdings as a fundamental unit for Micro level Agricultural Planning.

2. Crop Estimation Survey on Fruits, Vegetables and Minor Crops

To make reliable estimates of Production and Yield Per Hectare of Fruits and Vegetables crops through crop cutting experiments with reasonable degree of precision.

3. Economic Census

Economic Census is the count of all the Agricultural (except Crop Production and Plantation) and Non-Agricultural enterprises. The Fifth Economic Census is proposed to be conducted in Tamil Nadu during 2005 with 100% grants in aid from Government of India. Government of India have allotted a sum of Rs. 588.76 lakhs for the conduct of the Fifth Economic Census in Tamil Nadu. Out of the above amount, Government of India have released a sum of Rs.303.93 lakhs for 2004-2005. Preliminary work for the launch of Fifth Economic Census is in progress.

C) Schemes Shared between State and Centre (50 : 50)

1. Timely Reporting Scheme of Area and production of Crops

i. To build up land use statistics based on priority enumeration in a sample of 20% of villages for each year.

ii. To workout estimates of area of high yielding and local varieties of certain important crops under irrigated and un-irrigated category for each season.

2. Improvement of Crop Statistics

The scheme seeks to locate deficiencies in the system of collection of Agricultural Statistics in the State by exercising meaningful supervision by Central and State authorities over the primary field workers viz., Village Administrative Officers and suggest remedial measures for the improvement of the system.

D) Scheme sponsored by Autonomous Bodies

Setting up of Nodal Centre for National Technical Manpower Information System

To collect information on different categories of Engineering and Technical specialisation from all the Engineering Graduates/ Diploma Holders who have passed in Tamil Nadu and to assess the demand and supply on a continuing basis.

3.3 Besides Plan Schemes, the Non-Plan Schemes such as, State Income Estimation, State Accounts, Capital Formation, Annual Survey of Industries, Monthly Index Number of Industrial Production, Season and Crop Report, Crop Forecast Reports, Crop Estimation Survey on Food and Non-Food Crops, National Agricultural Insurance Scheme, Coconut and Arecanut Survey, Collection of Rainfall Statistics, Irrigation Statistics, Index of Agricultural Wages, Housing Statistics, Building Construction Cost Index, Municipal Year Book and District Statistical Hand Book, Publication of State Statistical Hand Book and Annual Statistical Abstract, Manpower and Employment Scheme, Market Intelligence and Prices, Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers, Wholesale Price Index, and Crops Estimation survey on Minor Crops have been Implemented.

3.4 State Statistical Committee

The methodologies and data generation and dissemination capabilities of the Department of Economics and Statistics are overseen by the State Statistical Committee headed by Member (in charge of Statistics and Economics Analysis), State Planning Commission.

3.5 New Schemes for 2005-2006

Purchase of Computer, Xerox Machines and provision of one Deep Bore well in the Department of Economics and Statistics at a cost of Rs.42.14 lakhs.

DEPARTMENT OF EVALUATION AND APPLIED RESEARCH

4.1 The Government has been implementing and funding a wide range of development schemes and programmes. It becomes imperative to assess the impact and outcomes of such schemes. Accordingly, the Department of Evaluation and Applied Research, since its inception in 1972, has been given this responsibility by undertaking Evaluation Studies to assist in policy formulation and better programme implementation.

4.2 The major functions of the Department are

i. Evaluating schemes, projects and programmes sponsored by both Central and State Governments and Externally-aided Agencies;

ii. Carrying out ad-hoc studies relating to specific areas and socio-economic surveys;

iii. Applying econometric models with regard to forecasting of tax revenues of State Government ; and

iv. Bringing out two annual Publications, viz., 'Tamil Nadu -An Economic Appraisal' and `An Economic-cum-Functional Classification of Budgetary Transactions of Tamil Nadu'.

4.3 The evaluation studies undertaken by this Department include schemes implemented by State and Central Governments and Externally Aided Projects of World Bank, Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA), European Economic Community (EEC) and International Development Agency (IDA) in Tamil Nadu. In addition, the Department has been concurrently taking up regular evaluation studies on various components of the Hill Area Development Programme (HADP) and the Western Ghats Development Programme (WGDP). Apart from these, the Department undertakes quick studies, forecasts of Government’s revenue and expenditure for inclusion in the proposals to be submitted to the Finance Commission, Government of India.

4.4 Since its inception, the Department has undertaken 532 evaluation studies spanning various sectors.

4.5 A State Evaluation Committee (SEC) has been constituted to identify the schemes / programmes that need to be evaluated and to discuss the findings of the evaluation reports for taking necessary follow-up action. The reconstituted SEC is functioning under the Chairmanship of Development Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Finance, besides five Members and the Director, Evaluation and Applied Research Department as Member-Secretary.

4.6 New Schemes for 2005 -2006

Strengthening of Infrastructure facilities in the Evaluation and Applied Research Department at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.00 lakhs.