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Grameen Bharat
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Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh assumes Office as Minister forRural Development and Panchayati Raj
Editor-in-Chief: Niten Chandra
Joint Secretary (IEC)
Editor: Uday Moray, Director (IEC)
Associate Editor: A. Mazumdar
Dy. Dir. (IEC)
Members:
A. K. Sood, Dir. (RH)
N. K. Sahu, Dir. (Mon.)
T. Srinivas, Dir. (NSAP)
C. S. Mann, Dir. (LR)
V. Mittal, Dir. (IEC-DWS)
Sujoy Mozumdar, Dir. (DWS)
P. Nagrath, Dy. Secy. (DWS)
Sudhir Shyam, Dy. Secy. (SGSY)
N. C. Bhanwal, Dy. Secy. (Trg/GC)
Amit Kumar Saha, Dy. Adviser (DWS)
C. P. Reddy, DC (DoLR)
Uma Iyer Rawla, Media Consultant
(MoPR)
Photographic Assistance:
Ramesh Kumar, Staff Photographer,
MoRD
Published & Distributed by
Fountainhead Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd.,
New Delhi on behalf of the Ministry of
Rural Development
Editorial Board
Shri Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukhassumed charge on 19 January 2011 as
the new Minister for Rural Development
and Panchayati Raj. Prior to this he
was Minister for Heavy Industries and
Public Enterprises, Government of India.
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh is a member of the
Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra.
He was also a two-time Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, from 1999 to 2003 and from
2004 to 2008.
Shri Deshmukh was born on 26 May 1945 in
Babhalgaon, Latur District, Maharashtra. He graduated with a degree in Science
(B.Sc.) and in Arts (B.A.) from M.E.S. Abasaheb Garware College, (Pune University)
and went on to study law (L.L.B.) from ILS Law College (Pune University).
He started social work activities in his early youth focusing specifically on drought
relief work. He was elected Director of the Osmanabad district Central Cooperative
Bank and also of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank in 1979.
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh entered active politics and became a member of the
Babhalgaon village panchayat from 1974 to 1979 and its sarpanch (village chief)
from 1974 to 1976. He was a member of Osmanabad Zila Parishad and Deputy
Chairman of Latur Taluka Panchayat Samiti (Latur District Panchayat Committee)
from 1974 to 1980.
In 1987 he started the Manjra Cooperative Society factory in Latur. This sugar factory
transformed the socio-economic condition of the region and bagged many national
and state awards. It is the flagship institute for development of Latur.
He was responsible for the launch of the Tanta Mukti Abhiyan in Maharashtra.He
was a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly from 1980 to 1995 winningthe 1980, 1985 and 1990 elections. During this period, as the Minister of State and
the Cabinet Minister, Shri Deshmukh handled departments such as Home, General
Administration, Cooperation, Public Works, Transport, Legislative Affairs, Tourism,
Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development Fisheries, Industry, Rural
Development, Education, Technical Education, Sports and Youth Welfare,
He was re-elected to the State Legislature from Latur Constituency in the elections
held in September 1999. In the same year he was credited for delegating more
powers to Zila Panchayats and strengthening the Panchayati Raj system.
Shri Deshmukh visited Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kongand Netherlands in 1980 to study Cooperative Movements and Agricultural
Development.
Shri Vilasrao Dagadojirao Deshmukh
Contents
From the Secretary's Desk.. 3
Spotlight
Bharat Nirman Volunteers: 4
A Strategy for Organisation of a
Village Based Cadre of Volunteers to
Accelerate Rural Development
Landmarks of the Month
Afghan Delegation Calls on 8
Rural Development Minister
Shishir Saras Mela 9
Inaugurated
Know Your Campaign
Awards for 'Effective Initiatives 11
under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA'
Quiz
Check your Knowledge about 15
Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
In the News 16
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Shri A.K. Misra, Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation in his office
From the
Secretary's Desk..
Challenges in reaching the benefits of DWS
schemes to the common man
To bring quality in life we all need to make our country clean
and healthy to live in. To achieve this target availability
of safe drinking water and safe sanitation practices are
important issues to be addressed. Water and Sanitation
programmes, for their success and sustainability, require
empowered, aware and skilled stakeholders capable of
planning, implementation, operation, maintenance and
management of water supply and sanitation schemes.
Since the inception of the Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation, various IEC activities were carried out by
the Department to reach out to a large number of people
from the rural areas. IEC activities are needed to keep the
issue of sustainable water and sanitation at the forefront
of the global agenda. It will raise the issue prominently to
politicians, civil society, and the public in general focusing
on the need to take effective action.
The Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission,
(RGNDWM) along with the respective State Governments,
has, over the last few decades, mobilized efforts to provide
safe drinking water and clean sanitation facilities to all
rural habitations. The lEC programmes play a critical role
in bringing success to the water and sanitation projects by
sensitising communities. For these activities 100% grant in
aid is provided to all states under the Support Fund which
is 5 % of the respective state allocation for carrying out
awareness among rural communities regarding all aspect
of water conservation, quality issues, health and hygiene
related Issues.
The Grameen Bharat team met Shri A.K. Misra,
Secretary, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation
recently. He shared his views, thoughts and concerns
regarding the programmes of his Department.
Neena Thomas brings you excerpts from the interview
Role of Panchayat
Panchayats have the most crucial role to play in successful
implementation of the sanitation campaign. This campaign
needs provision of infrastructure but also bring about
behavioural changes at individual and community levels.Panchayats play a vital role in shaping behaviour through
social, institutional and personal influences. Social
mobilization for the construction of toilets, safe disposal of
wastes, maintenance of community assets for improved
sanitation are all within the ambit of their responsibilities.
Panchayats can use their own development funds to
supplement the efforts under TSC and other sanitation
programmes. They can also open and operate Production
Centers/Rural Sanitary Marts for rural sanitation products.
Panchayats have an important role in the monitoring of the
TSC programme since they are in the best position to verify
the physical availability and usage of facilities created.
In the case of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme,
the States are in the process of transferring development
activities and responsibilities to the Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRIs). Steps are being taken to iron out the
inherent problems in this process; build their capacities,
and reduce panchayats dependence on central and state
directions, etc. Under the New NRDWP guideline it has
been made mandatory for the States to hand over the
RWS schemes to PRI/ Water Supply Committees (WSCs)for Management of the schemes and release of 10% of
the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Central fund has
been linked to this.
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Spotlight Bharat Nirman Volunteers: A Strategy for Organisation of aVillage Based Cadre of Volunteers to AccelerateRural Development
Background and Development Challenges
The Ministry of Rural Development has introduced severaldevelopment schemes and initiatives to improve the lot
of the rural poor. While these programmes have been
successful in achieving many of their developmental
objectives, many evaluation studies have identified gaps
in programme implementation.
These gaps in development schemes adversely affect the
delivery of benefits to the intended beneficiaries. The Gram
Panchayat, the lowest rung in the hierarchy of Panchayati
Raj institutions, plans and implements these development
programmes. However, it is poorly equipped with manpower
in most of the states. Further the skills and knowledge of the
Gram Panchayat functionaries are often inadequate. The
situation at the intermediary level of the Block Panchayat
is somewhat better. Nevertheless, much needs to be done
to enhance their capacity to deliver public services.
One way of ensuring the success of these programmes is
through large scale peoples involvement and sensitisationto development needs across a diverse range, whether this
be in the areas of health and sanitation, infrastructure and
environment, literacy or agriculture.
Voluntary Action to Streamline Programme Delivery
It may be possible to avoid many of the problems in rural
areas if steps are taken for streamlining the implementation
of existing government programmes by a campaign for
awareness generation, capacity building of institutions
and greater engagement with the people. This will require
closer contact with the people which could be established
through a large village based cadre of volunteers who
are provided suitable training and incentives to actively
support the administrative machinery and the Panchayati
Raj Institutions in the implementation of government
programmes. Besides establishing closer contacts with the
rural households, the volunteers can assist the government
functionaries in shouldering the responsibilities of delivering
public services in a variety of ways. This can greatly improve
administrative efficiency in a cost effective manner.
To translate this into reality, the Ministry of Rural Development
has undertaken a unique initiative of putting in place a
village based cadre of volunteers to be christened as
Bharat Nirman Volunteers (BNV).
Objectives of Bharat Nirman Volunteers Cadre
The objectives of the Bharat Nirman Volunteers cadre are
to:
1. Establish close contact with rural households who are
stakeholders of government programmes;
2. Generate awareness about government programmes
and the procedures to avail of the benefits of these
programmes;
3. Encourage legal literacy and generate awareness
and understanding among people of their rights and
obligations under various government programmes,
particularly those relating to rural development,
agriculture, watershed development, health and family
welfare, education, women and child development,infrastructure (including roads, electrification, irrigation,
drinking water, sanitation, broadband connectivity,
telephones, banking and post offices) and environmental
protection;
4. Support the government administrative machinery and
the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the performance
of their duties, particularly in implementation of the
Citizens Charter;
5. Facilitate social audits of government programmes;
6. Expedite redressal of grievances of the people and
assist in the functioning of helplines;
7. Improve quali ty of implementation of government
programmes by providing feedback on status of
programmes to responsible officials;
8. Provide opportunities to socially conscious citizens to
participate in nation building activities;
9. Develop leadership among the people;
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Spotlight
10.Develop a cadre of trained development volunteers
with a deep commitment to change and development;
and
11.Create appropriate conditions to maintain peace and
tranquility in rural areas.
Terms and Conditions of Engagement as aBharat Nirman Volunteer
Any individual committed to making a contribution toward
effective implementation of welfare and development
programmes of the government can apply to the Blockor Gram Panchayat for registration as a Bharat Nirman
Volunteer. He/she should be above 18 years of age. At
least one-third of the volunteers so engaged should be
women and preference should be given to SC/ST/OBC
and minorities.
Tenure of the volunteers
may be life-long provided
they fulfill the prescribed
conditions for proper
conduct and discipline.
The volunteers shall
be provided three day
t ra in ing on proper
implementation of various government programmes. They
shall be familiarized with the fundamental duties as laid
down under Article 51-A of the Constitution of India. Further
refresher training will continue to be provided according
to need. Training will be imparted to the volunteers by the
block with the help of SIRDs.
Every Bharat Nirman Volunteer shall be attached to a
maximum of 40 households residing in his/her close
neighbourhood. The volunteer will be responsible for
facilitating delivery of public services under various
government programmes to the eligible rural households.
They will also forward requests for services and grievance
applications from the rural households to the gram
panchayats and the blocks.
Bharat Nirman Volunteers will remain under the charge of a
suitable officer, working under the BDO, to be known as the
Counselor. He shall guide the volunteers in the performance
of their functions and maintain close liaison between the
volunteers and the BDO.
Volunteers shall maintain a work diary in a prescribed
form which will contain programme-wise details of the
work allotted to them and work
performed by them. The work diary
will be reviewed by the counselor,
the BDO or the gram panchayat
from time to time. Suitable grades
such as A, B, C and D will be
awarded to record the quality of
work against each item of work
done. All information relating
to Bharat Nirman Volunteers -
enrollment, training, work diary, grading and awards - shall
be entered in the MIS in the Diksha website.
The top 10% of the volunteers as per the calculation of the
sum of the grades may be given awards at the district and
block levels during annual functions such as Republic Day
or Independence Day, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti Day.
Bharat Nirman Volunteers shall exhibit model conduct
and be an inspiration for others in the village. They
shall endeavour to provide all possible assistance for
effective implementation of the welfare and developmentprogrammes of the government. The service performed
shall be purely voluntary without any expectation of any
pecuniary or non-pecuniary return. Volunteers who show
doubtful character and conduct may be disengaged by the
gram panchayat or the block. The volunteers shall take a
proficiency test every year. This may be an online objective
test to assess the knowledge of the volunteers about all the
schemes operating in rural areas. The annual renewal of
engagement of the volunteer will be subject to the passing
of the volunteers with a minimum of 70% marks.
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Spotlight
Role
Bharat Nirman Volunteers will carry forward the messagesof rural development under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA,
National Rural Livelihood Mission, Rural Housing, National
Social Assistance Programme, Rural Roads, Drinking Water
and Sanitation, Watershed Development and Panchayati
Raj Programmes to the rural households with whom they
shall be attached. They will make sure that the members
of the rural households are fully acquainted with their
entitlements, roles and responsibilities under the various
programmes of rural development, agriculture, industries,banking, health, education, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities
Peoples Participation:Awareness generation amongst the
rural households should be followed up by their constructive
engagement in planning, execution and monitoring of
various programmes of rural development. The volunteers
should help in organisation of the Gram Sabha, bringing out
the needs of the rural households, and facilitate fulfillment
of their needs in a consensual manner. They shall facilitate
the Gram Sabhas to draw up prospective and annual plans
under various programmes and provide the necessary
support for their proper execution.
Delivery of services: The volunteers should act as agents
for the Gram Panchayats, line departments, the BDOs and
the District Collectors and ensure proper facilitation in the
delivery of services to the rural households attached to
them.
Social Audit: This is a statutory requirement under
Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. It is an important tool for
bringing in transparency and accountability in development
administration. The volunteers should take active part in
motivating the rural households in organising social audits
with the help of the Gram Panchayats, BDOs and the line
departments.
Citizens Charter: This is an important administrative toolfor informing the citizens about the services which are to be
delivered to the citizens along with the standards of delivery.
The volunteers shall help in the preparation of Citizens
Charter and its implementation by the Gram Panchayat,
Block and the District Administration by communicating
the expectations of the citizens and preparing a delivery
standard which is workable.
Grievance Redressal and Helplines: A large number
of grievances accumulate in the offices of the BDOs,
District Collectors and the line departments and responses
remain inadequate because of shortage of resources. The
volunteers shall facilitate settlement of these grievances
by coordinating with the Government offices and the rural
households.
Rural Reporters: Wall newspapers and community radio
can be used as powerful tools for communication of key
messages of government programmes. The volunteers
can act as rural reporters and help in the working of
the community radio and operationalisation of wall
newspapers.
Vigilance and Monitoring: The volunteers will act as eyes
and ears of the District Administration and maintain vigilance
over the working of the various programmes.
Census: The volunteers will assist in maintenance of a
proper data base of the rural households, SHGs, and the
works being taken up under various programmes including
conducting of the BPL census.
Data Entry: The volunteers can also collect informationon transactions taking place in the villages under various
programmes and submit this to the Computer Centre at
the Gram Panchayat and the Block Office to facilitate data
entry in the programme MIS.
Feedback: Regular feedback shall be sent to the Gram
Panchayat and the Block Office regarding the state of affairs
under the various rural development programmes and other
allied programmes pertaining to health, education, women
and child development, environment, electrification and
other rural infrastructural development programmes.
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Spotlight
Rural Development, Agriculture, Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises: The volunteers will act as agents of
rural development in the wider sense including programmes
of development of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, micro,
small and medium enterprises, etc.
Banking Correspondents: Volunteers can also act as
Banking Correspondents of the local bank, subject to
conditions imposed by the bank. They may also assist
the banks in recovery of loans from willful defaulters and
facilitate credit access to the families.
Self Help Groups: The volunteers shall act as a catalyst
for mobilization of rural households into the Self Help
Group movement. They shall facilitate the transfer of
knowledge and skills to the members of Self Help Groups
so that they can raise bank loans, take up production and
trading operations and repay bank loans in a time bound
manner.
Health, Sanitation and Nirmal Gram: Government services
relating to combating diseases (HIV, TB, malaria, diarrhoea,etc.) can be effectively reached to the rural households by
the volunteers. The incidence of diseases may be reported
to the doctors and para health workers like ASHA and ANMs
to facilitate supply of drugs. Wherever necessary, affected
persons may also be hospitalized by the volunteers. They
may identify malnourished children and pregnant mothers in
the attached households and ensure the supply of a vitamin
fortified diet to them through Anganwadi centers. Volunteers
should motivate the families to avoid open defecation and
construct their private latrines so that the Gram Panchayat
may be declared as Nirmal Gram.
Literacy and Education: Illiterate members of the
households may be identified and provided support through
the literacy programmes and supplied learning materials.
Volunteers should endeavour to ensure that all members
of the household achieve literacy, school going children
attend school and no child is subjected to child labour. The
volunteers may also work with the District Legal Services
Authority to spread legal literacy among the people by
organising camps and organising public meetings.
Food Security: In order to ensure food security the
volunteers may identify eligible households who do not
have ration cards and report such cases to the Block or the
Gram Panchayat. Volunteers should also report cases of
non-delivery, short delivery or untimely delivery of rations by
the suppliers of essential commodities. They shall utilise the
resources under RKVY, NFSM, NHM, IWMP, MGNREGA,NRLM, etc. to maximize production of foodgrains, fruits
and vegetables, spices, sugarcane, cotton, milk, meat,
eggs and fish.
House Sites and Housing: Volunteers should identify
families without house sites and report the cases to the
Gram Panchayat or Block or Taluks or Tehsils. They should
also facilitate provision of houses to the homeless and
the poor under the rural housing programme of IAY and
facilitate easy flow of funds to the beneficiaries from the
block or GP.
Natural Resources Management and Eco-restoration:
Volunteers may be assigned work for proper management
of natural resources by the District Administration including
the Block and the Gram Panchayat. For example, the
volunteers may identify barren and uncultivated lands where
afforestation can be taken up. Similarly fallow and cultivable
wastelands may be developed under Mahatma GandhiNREGA or watershed development programmes to bring
them under cultivation. In irrigated areas Pani Panchayats
may be set up and water distribution may be rationed with
the help of irrigation authorities.
Volunteers may take up any other work that may be in the
public interest and which can promote safety, security, and
welfare of the rural population.
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Landmarks of the
Month
Afghan Delegation Calls on Rural Development Minister
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh says India will extend all possible assistance to Afghanistan forRural Development
A ten member delegation from Afghanistan led by its Minister for Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD),
Mr. Jarullah Mansoori, called on Union Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister, Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, at
Krishi Bhawan on 24 January 2011. The delegation sought the co-operation of the Ministry of Rural Development in
furthering Indo-Afghan cooperation in rural infrastructure development, capacity building of local institutions, technical
support, skill development and empowerment of rural masses.
Shri Deshmukh assured the visiting delegation of all possible assistance by the Government of India. He said that
Indias learning experience through its flagship programmes in rural development can be of great help to the people
of Afghanistan. The Afghan Minister highlighted the significance of age old ties between the two countries and hoped
they would learn a lot so that the models can be replicated in their country.
The visiting delegation was briefed about the progress under the new initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Rural
Development and Panchayati Raj in reaching out to people. The delegates evinced keen interest in the success under
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, the initiative to alleviate poverty under National Rural
Livelihood Mission, rural road connectivity under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, providing shelter to the rural
poor under Indira Awaas Yojana, social security measures under National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) and
ensuring the accessibility of potable water in rural areas under National Rural Drinking Water Programme.
The delegation was led by the Minister for Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), Mr. Jarullah Mansoori, who was
accompanied by Mr. Said Habib, Parliamentary Affairs Coordinator, MRRD; Mr. Naseer Renory, Director National Rural
Access Programme; Mr. Ghulam Qader, Head of Water Sanitation, and Irrigation Programme among others. Ministers
of State for Rural Development Shri Pradeep Jain 'Aditya' and Ms. Agatha Sangma; Secretary Rural Development,Shri B.K.Sinha; Secretary Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, Shri A.K.Misra; and Secretary Land Resources,
Ms. Anita Chaudhary were present along with senior officials as a part of the Indian delegation.
Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ms. Agatha Sangma, Shri Pradeep Jain 'Aditya with members of the Afghan delegation
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Shishir Saras Mela Inaugurated
The Union Minister of State for Rural
Development, Shri Pradeep Jain 'Aditya,
inaugurated the Shishir Saras Mela on
19 January 2011 at Dilli Haat, near INA
Market. Speaking on the occasion he
said, "Events like Saras provide a proper
platform for the sale of products made
by rural artisans. These also provide
an opportunity to interact directly with
domestic and international customers, and
understand their taste and preferences."
He emphasised the need to strengthen
such infrastructures.
On this occasion Ms. Agatha
Sangma, Union Minister of State for Rural
Development, said that the exhibition-cum-sale mela will showcase a wide range of products by the rural artisans,
craftsmen and beneficiaries of Self Help Groups from all over the country. Secretary Rural Development, Shri
B.K. Sinha; DG CAPART, Shri Mohammad Halim Khan; and other officials from the Ministry of Rural Development
were also present on the occasion.
The Saras fair has been organised by the Council for
Advancement of Peoples Action and Rural Technology
(CAPART) in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural
Development. The fair aims at facilitating the Swarna
Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) beneficiaries,
rural artisans, craftsmen, Self Help Groups and NGOs
to exhibit and sell their products and provide themwith opportunities for additional income, exposure
and interaction on a large scale.
The Shishir Saras Mela has played a major role in
providing a platform to develop linkages between
artisans and craftsmen with buyers and customers.
Around 162 stalls were set up at Dilli Haat by more than 320 swarojgaries (from BPL households) from 26 states.
The special attractions included metal work products from Madhya Pradesh, Sambalpuri saris from Orissa, wood
carving work from Andhra Pradesh, bamboo craft from Tripura, Madhubani paintings from Bihar, terracotta from
Chhattisgarh, shawls and carpets from Jammu & Kashmir and handicrafts from Uttar Pradesh, etc. In addition cultural
programmes from different states were organised every evening throughout the fair.
Landmarks of the
Month
Shri Pradeep Jain 'Aditya inaugurating the Shishir Saras Mela
Ms. Agatha Sangma at the inaugural ceremony of the Shishir Saras Mela
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Landmarks of the
Month
NIRD Executive Council and General Council Reconstituted
The Government has reconstituted the Executive and General Council of the National Institute of Rural Development
(NIRD) Hyderabad with immediate effect for a period of three years. A notification to this effect was issued by the
Ministry of Rural Development on 13 January 2011.
The members of the Executive Council are: Prof. M.G.K. Menon, Scientist; Dr. Y.K. Alagh, Ex-Member Planning
Commission; Dr. B.A. Prakash; Shri S.S. Acharya and Dr. I.V.Trivedi, VC, MLS University, Udaipur and Padmashree
Shri Anil Joshi, HESCO Dehradun. They are also members of the General Council.
The other members of the General Council include: Shri Rajaiah Sircilla (MP Lok Sabha); Prof. M.S. Swaminathan(MP Rajya Sabha); Shri A.R. Khan, President PMSC Society, Rajasthan; Dr. P. Sekhar, Mumbai; Shri Rameshwar
Dudi, Zila Pramukh, Bikaner (Rajasthan); Shri Vijay Shankar Vyas, Rajasthan; Shri Anna Hazare, Ahmednagar,
(Maharashtra); Shri Ajit Grewal, Delhi; Shri V.N.Rajasekharan Pillai, Vice Chancellor, IGNOU, New Delhi; and
Dr. C. Swaminathan, Vice Chancellor, Bharatiar University, Coimbatore. These eminent persons have made
noteworthy contribution in the field of rural development. In addition, the Secretaries of Rural Development from
the states of Assam, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Bihar who are also in charge of Rural Development/
Reconstruction or Development Commissioners have been nominated as members of the General Council.
The National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) is an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Rural
Development, Government of India. Through its training and research activities, NIRD endeavours to upgrade
knowledge and skills and to bring in required attitudes among its clientele. NIRD sensitises the elected representatives
and rural development functionaries about the impact of various rural development initiatives of the Union Government
and the State Governments and also about the emerging challenges in the field of rural development.
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Know Your
Campaign Awards for 'Effective Initiatives under Mahatma GandhiNREGA'
The Government of India annual awards for 'Effective Initiatives under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA', for outstanding
contributions by Mahatma Gandhi NREGA District Teams were awarded by the Honble Prime Minister, Shri Manmohan
Singh and Honble Chairperson, National Advisory Council, Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhavan on
2 February, 2011.
Ten District Programme Coordinators (DPCs) received awards for innovative initiatives for enhancing livelihood security
of households in their districts.
Innovative Application for Livelihood Security
District : Jalpaiguri, West Bengal
DPC : Ms. Vandana Yadav
The tea industry had gone through several changes and a severe crisis that peaked during the first decade of this
century, resulting in a large number of sick, locked out and closed tea gardens. In March 2009, the Government
of West Bengal gave a letter of intent to a tea management group, desirous of taking over closed gardens. Despite
all the benefits available under various schemes, the biggest hindrances were the high labour numbers and the run-
down condition of the gardens, resulting in a stalemate between the government and the tea management group.
During this stalemate, a scheme was devised by the district administration for utilising the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
scheme for re-opening the gardens. It was agreed that the new management would keep all the workers on the
company rolls and there would be zero retrenchment. They would give 180-240 days of regular work to the workers,
including benefits. A 100 days of work would be given to all workers under the Mahatma
Gandhi NREGA scheme concentrating on the lean season where no plucking and
plantation would be allowed and only work permissible under the scheme such as
land development, drainage and irrigation would be carried out. Planning for thework would be done by the Panchayat Samiti with the active involvement of the
workers, community members and the new management. The assistance would
continue for a limited period (three to seven years depending on the condition
of the garden), ideally till the garden becomes viable and can reabsorb the full
labour strength.
The initiative has used Mahatma Gandhi NREGA not just as a temporary job
creation scheme but as a means of securing a permanent livelihood for the
people, in their own habitat and social system.
Convergence with Human Development Programmes
District : Dharwad, Karnataka
DPC : Ms. C. Shikha
The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme is being used to improve the Human Development Index (HDI) of Dharwad
district. The parameters involved in calculating HDI are per capita income, literacy rate and longevity. With the
goal of improving the HDI of the district, literacy camps, health programmes and an insurance programme were
started at the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA work sites. An honorarium of`. 750 is given to mates who start literacy
programmes at work sites. With the help of ASHA, health information on health and sanitation, importance of nutrition
and clean drinking water, information about various health schemes like family planning, Jannini Suraksha Yojna,
immunization programmes, etc., is disseminated to workers. Folic acid tablets are also distributed to anaemic women
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Campaign
Community-centric Development in a Challenging Physical Environment
District : North Sikkim, Sikkim
DPC : Mr. P.N. Bhuta
To make the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme popular and mass-based, the Chief Minister, Sri Pawan Chamling
gave the maxim, afno gaon, afai banaun (lets build our village ourselves). This policy of positioning MahatmaGandhi NREGA as a nation building activity resulted in dignity of labour and ensured large scale participation.
Consequently, not only BPL households but also APL households actively took part in this social movement.
Though the guidelines permit 50% of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA implementation to be taken up by line departments,
the state government devolved 100% implementation of the programme to the Gram Panchayats and this helped
in making the programme people-centric and took the form of a community led social movement.
The programme shifted from planning just a few macro-works to promoting several micro-works across the
mountainous terrain to encourage involvement especially of rural women.
Livelihood Generation and Improving Communal Relations
District : Kandhamal, Orrisa
DPC : Mr. Sri Krishan
Realising the importance of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme in a post-conflict society, the Kandhamal
district administration utilised this platform for not only improving relations between various sections of society
but also for improving the livelihood asset base of the rural poor.
A policy of reconciliation for providing guidance to peace committees at various
levels was formulated by the district level Peace Committee. In each of the
villages affected by communal violence, one labour intensive work under the
Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme was started. In this Work for Peace
both communities participated in the creation of village assets of their
choice. To achieve this, every rural household was empowered to
participate in this scheme. Work sites were opened in most of the 2,500
villages of the district. A process of collaborative decision-making was
established with all stakeholders being involved. It was decided that
work supervisors or mates would be drawn from the SC and ST
communities thus breaching the barriers between communities.
An extensive campaign delivering the message workingtogether for development was taken up by involving civil
society organisations.
at the work site. LIC Aam Admi and Janahsree Bima Yojna scholarship schemes were framed to provide benefits
for the children of members of the schemes.The above experience has shown that the cost of delivery services can be reduced by synergising the efforts of
multiple agencies. This model of convergence in the long-term will lead to an improvement in the overall HDI in the
district.
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Wage Disbursement through Mobile Banking
District : Annupur, Madhya Pradesh
DPC : Mr Kavindra Kiyawat
The payment of wages to Mahatma Gandhi NREGA labourers was fraught by several inefficiencies
such as distance of bank from home, sometimes as far away as 30 kms, loss of a wage-day
on account of travel to bank, cost of transport and the unfriendly and unhelpful attitude of
bankers.
To resolve the above problems a mobile banking system Aapke Bank Aapke Dwaar
was launched by means of which labourers received their wages in their own
neighbourhoods. The system works by sending a mobile van with the
payment team to every Gram Panchayat on a specified date which
is communicated at least three days in advance through various
mediums. The District Central Cooperative Bank maintains a separate
ledger book for each Gram Panchayat. After the payment process
the payment team updates the account ledger book of the respective
Gram Panchayat.
The mobile banking system has been well received by the general
public, especially the tribal and poor beneficiaries.
Team Leadership
District :Barmer, RajasthanDPC :Mr. Gaurav Goyal
Barmer is a border desert district which faces acute scarcity of water. The Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme was
launched here on 2 May 2007. There are 4.76 lakh households registered under the scheme, including more than
91,000 Scheduled Caste and 39,000 Scheduled Tribe households. Out of the 277 lakh man-days generated in the
preceding financial year, 66.67% were completed by female workers.
Intensive IEC activities are being done to educate and empower people about their
rights. Public representatives, voluntary organisations and community members
are actively involved in planning, execution, monitoring and auditing the scheme.
Awareness programmes are organised year round. Labour and material payments
are done through banks and post-offices.
The scheme has enhanced livelihood security and the living
standards of people living in this region. More than 50,000 water
harvesting structures have been constructed and renovated.
Forty-five thousand individual water tanks or taankas with
a storage capacity of 30,000 litres of rainwater have been
constructed. After the last monsoon, 1343.3 million litres of
rainwater was conserved and saved. In addition to harvesting
structures, flood protection and plantation works have been
successfully executed under the scheme.
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14
Mobilising a Marginalised Community and Empowering Women
District : Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadhoi, Uttar Pradesh
DPC : Ms. Surendra Singh
Sant Ravidas Nagar Bhadhoi is the smallest district of Uttar Pradesh. Poverty and unemployment is rampant
in the district. Out of the total population, 51% of the population is below the poverty
line and 21% belong to the schedule caste community. Most of the people from the weaker
section are landless and are engaged as agricultural labourers, carpet weavers or as migrant
workers in the urban metros. Their daily earnings amount to about ` 60.
The launch of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme on 1 April, 2008 was a great boon for
the local people. Working in the scheme not only increased their earnings, allowed them tostay at home but also reduced expenditure on housing and travel to the cities, thus increasing
their net savings three fold.
Community Mobilisation and Participation for Livelihood Generation
District : Churachandpur, ManipurDPC : Ms. Jacintha Lazarus
Churachandpur town, which houses nearly two-thirds of the districts entire population, was
ravaged by the problem of water scarcity. The town draws its water supply form two water
sources, the catchment areas of which are now completely barren due to the felling of trees
for jhumming and timber. The district took an exemplary initiative in exploring new ground for
converging the Mahatama Gandhi NREGA scheme with afforestation exercises by involving
the masses in environmental conservation through planting saplings in the catchment areas.
This had the benefit of generating awareness through practical involvement and restoring
the catchment area while also generating employment for the masses.
Addressing Latent Work Demand
District : Rajkot, Gujrat
DPC : Mr. Jai Prakash Shivahare
Rajkot district is a highly urbanised district. Performance under the Mahatma Gandhi
NREGA scheme here was poor because of the general belief that this scheme was
not meant for an industrial and urbanised district. A deeper examination into the cause
for low demand for work, revealed that officials relied mainly on the sarpanchs and village
level functionaries ortalatis to start the works. Of all the stakeholders, the most important,
the wage seekers, were peripheral to the process and hardly ever asserted their right to
demand work and were poorly informed about the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme.
During 2009-2010 a strategy was devised to ensure that wage seekers be kept informed
about opportunities. This was done by interacting with them directly in their own localities
and addressing any issues or questions they might have. Through direct contact and interaction startling facts
were revealed and it was found that there was a lot of hidden unemployment in the villages. Other issues that
needed addressing included non-issuance of job cards, difficulty in opening accounts, delays in payments and the
absence of an effective grievance redressal mechanism. The main challenge thus was to break this vicious cycle
by educating and empowering the wage seekers about their right to work. The strategy that worked best was one-
to-one interpersonal communication.
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Quiz
1) When was the MahatmaGandhi NREGA passed bythe Indian Parliament?
a) 26th August 2004
b) 23rd August 2004
c) 23rd August 2005
d) 26th August 2005
5) Is there a limit on thenumber of days ofguaranteed employmentover the year?
a) 100 daysb) upto 100 days
c) 200 days
d) 150 days
4) Which state had passed an
Employment Guarantee
Act in 1976?
a) Rajasthan
b) Madhya Pradesh
c) Maharashtra
d) Gujarat
2) When was the MahatmaGandhi National RuralEmployment Guarantee ActNotified?
a) 8th September 2005
b) 6th September 2005
c) 5th September 2005
d) 7th September 2005
3) Does the present MahatmaGandhi National RuralEmployment Guarantee Acthave any precedence?
a) Yes
b) No
ANSWERS
1)C
2)D
3)A
4)C
5)B
Check your Knowledge about Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
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