Main Activities of Ministry of Rural Development in 2009

During the Year 2009 the Ministry of Rural Development saw a change of guard on account of General Elections 2009. Accordingly, Dr. C.P.Joshi took over as a New Union Minister for Rural Development on May 29, 2009 alongwith three Minister of States, namely, Ms,.Agatha Sangma, Shri Pradeep Jain “Aditya” and Shri Shishir Adikari. The new work plank was to further NREGA in the form of convergence with other Centrally sponsored schemes.

The important events organised this year by the Ministry are as under:

The 16th General Session of Afro-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) was organised from January 6,2009 till January 8, 2009. During the conference it was decided that India is to chair the Afro-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO)for the next three years (2009-2011) with Syria and Nigeria as Vice-President. The change of guard took place during the 16th General Session of the Afro-Asian Rural Development Organisation (AARDO) which began here today with a firm commitment to South -South Cooperation as a basic postulate of India’s foreign policy.

The principal objective of AARDO has been the promotion of understanding among member countries for better appreciation of each others' problems. To realise these objectives, AARDO has been implementing a number of concerted programmes on triennial basis. During the triennium 2006-2008, all out efforts was made to consolidate the existing activities of AARDO, namely, training programmes, workshops, seminars, deputation of experts, development pilot projects and dissemination of information and, at the same time, initiate new programmes such as new training courses, regional level workshops/seminars and study visits, action research studies, meeting of heads of training institutes and regional representatives to discuss and review technical programmes, etc.

An International Seminar on on “Rural Poverty : Key Initiatives in achieving Millennium Development Goals and role of NREGA”.was organised by the M/o Rural Development 0n January January 21, 2009 in New Delhi where the then Rural Development Minister Dr.Raghuvansh Prasad Singh reiterated India’s commitment to eradicate millennium development goals and said that efforts are on towards total eradication of poverty by 2015.

As a routine practice the presidents of Nirmal Gram Puraskar Awardees Panchayats from, across the country were felicitated by the then Rural Development Minister at his official residence on January 26, 2009. These Panchayats became role models in achieving cent percent sanitation coverage in their areas of jurisdiction and motivated other Panchayats in building slowly but steadily open defecation free, clean and healthy villages.

A two day long Annual Conference of Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) organised on January 29-30, 2009 discussed in detail deliberations each programme/scheme and the weak areas, difficulties in implementation and also identified other constraints. Later addressing media persons Union Rural Development Minister Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh said the modalities to address these constraints has also been worked out. The success stories where the programmes have made major impact were also presented to learn lessons and replicate to other parts of the country.

The Ministry of Rural Development , Government of India organized a Sammelan on February 2nd, 2009 to mark three years of implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act( NREGA). Shri Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister and Smt Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, United Progress Alliance (UPA) were special invitees to the Sammelan.

The 9th all India Editor’s Conference on Social Sector Issues was organised on February 3-4, 2009 at the National Press Centre, PIB Conference Hall ,New Delhi. Inaugurating the two day conference the then Union Rural Development Minister Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has reiterated the Governmen/s resolve to work for the cause of Aam aadmi with the emphasis on poverty eradication and employment generation in rural India. He said the efficient fiscal management has made it possible with the budgetary allocation of Rs.1,93,715 crore for his ministry during the last five years of the Government . The focus is on poverty eradication, wage payment, employment generation, enhancement in self-employment and strengthening of rural infrastructure.

The Union Cabinet on February 5, 2009 approved to expand the scope of National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) to provide pension at the rate of Rs. 200 per month per beneficiary for the following categories of persons belong to a house hold below the poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India:

a) Widows who are between 40-64 years, under the scheme to be named as “Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme’ (IGNWPS).

b) Persons with severe and multiple disabilities who are between 18-64 years, under the scheme to be named as ‘Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme’ (IGNDPS).

Persons who are 65 years or higher, estimated to be 1.57 crore, have already been covered under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) which was launched on 19th November, 2007.

Consequent upon the expansion, National Social Assistance programme (NSAP) would include (a) Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) (b) Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) (c) Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) and (d) National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS).

The central assistance for pension under the new schemes will be Rs. 200/- per month per beneficiary. The State Governments are urged to contribute at least an equal amount so that beneficiaries receive pension at the rate of Rs.400 or more per month, as in the case of IGNOAPS. Further pension amount has to be credited into the Bank or Post Office Account of the beneficiary. The new schemes are estimated to benefit 4404289 widows and 1556004 persons with severe or multiple disability. The additional fund requirement would be Rs. 1057.03 crore for widow pension scheme and Rs. 373.44 crore for disability pension scheme.

A two day meeting to review the flagship programmes of the M/o Rural development was organised on June 11,2009. During the meeting Dr. C.P.Joshi, Union Minister for Rural Development urged the officials of the State Governments incharge of implementation of flagship programmes to suggest novel and creative ideas capable of ensuring efficient implementation of the programmes. The minister noted several examples that can be internalized in the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) . He was speaking at the first meeting of the Performance Review Committee (PRC), held here.

The Department of Drinking Water Supply in the M/o Rural Development was organised a meeting of all State /UT Secretaries for Rural Development on July 1st , 2009 to review the implementation of revised Guidelines for the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). Issues pertaining to status of projects taken up for Water Quality Sustainability and Plan thereof were discussed at length. The meeting provided a forum for the intimation of targets under the 20-Point Program for the participating States/UTs. Among other issues status regarding the setting up of required institutions and respective bank accounts for Programme Funds and Support Activity Funds were taken up during the meeting. The State/UT Secretaries shared the status of re-alignment of existing data and filing up the gaps , the status of rural population management and their water supply schemes along with the status of State Policies. The objective behind the meet is was put in place comprehensive plans as envisaged in the guidelines for village level water security.

The Union Budget for 2009-10 was presented in the Lok sabha on July 06, 2009. The sailent features for M/o Rural Debvelopment are: Aam Aadmi is the focus of all UPA's schemes; Mandate for inclusive growth; National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) Allocation hiked by 144% to Rs.39,100 crore ; NREGA provided employment opportunities to more than 4.479 crore households in 2008-09; Rs. 100 per day as entitlement under NREGA; Pilot Project to be taken up in 115 districts by converging NREGA with other schemes;Bharat Nirman allocation hiked by 45%; Indira Awaas Yojna allocation up by 63% to Rs 8,883 crore; Rs 2,000 crore for Rural Housing fund under National Housing Bank; Rs 100 crore one-time grant to expand banks in unbanking areas; PM Gram Sadak Yojna hiked up by 59 per cent to Rs.12,000crore;.PM Grameen Adarsh Yojna on pilot basis in 100 villages with SC/ST population.; Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) now as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to make it universal, more focussed and time bound for poverty alleviation by 2014 ; Target to enrol 50% cent of rural women in self-help groups over the next five years; Rural mega clusters in Bengal and Rajasthan; Incentives in interest rates to farmers to pay back; Interest subsidy for home loans up to Rs 1 lakh; Work on National Food Security scheme for subsidised food; Govt to shift to nutrient based fertiliser subsidy regime; Fertiliser subsidy to go directly to farmers; Incentives in interest rates to farmers to pay back; Target for agriculture credit raised to Rs 3,25,000 cr in 2009-10; Additional budget allocation to farmers- Allocation of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna stepped up by 30%; Banking network to be expanded and One banking centre in every bloc.

The Swarna Jayanti Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY) has been renamed as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). With this the scheme will be made universal, more focussed and time bound for poverty alleviation by 2014. Accordingly, a target has been fixed to enrol 50% cent of rural women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) over the next five years. In order to enhance the skill of rural artisans Rural Mega Clusters are to be set up in Bengal and Rajasthan. The announcement in this regard was made during the Budget speech of Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee while presenting the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha on July 06, 2009.

The objective of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) is to bring the assisted poor families (Swarozgaries) above the Poverty Line by ensuring appreciable sustained level of income over a period of time. This objective is to be achieved by inter alia organising the rural poor into Self Help Groups(SHGs) through the process of social mobilization, their training and capacity building and provision of income generating assets. The SHG approach helps the poor to build their self-confidence through community action. Interactions in group meetings and collective decision making enables them in identification and prioritization of their needs and resources. This process would ultimately lead to the strengthening and socio-economic empowerment of the rural poor as well as improve their collective bargaining power.

The Government has asked the States to ensure the monitoring of National Land Record Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) and also to see that the funds are properly utilised. Addressing a Follow-up Workshop on NLRMP organised by the Department of Land Records of his Ministry in New Delhi on 18-08-2009 ,the Union Minister for Rural Development, Dr. C.P. Joshi said that the heavy investments that India is making in modernizing its land records system should be commensurate with the benefits it hopes to reap for its citizens. These records will be continuously updated, will be tamper-proof and will be available in the public domain. A modern land information system (LIS) will enable citizens to obtain other land based datas such as certificates, cropping patterns, ownership details etc. quickly, correctly and conveniently.

The Newly constituted Central Employment Guarantee Council held its first meeting under the Chairmanship of Union Rural Development Minister Dr. C.P. Joshi on Tuesday, the 18th August. The members discussed at length the issues related to the administrative and technical capacity building under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Another important issue deliberated upon during the meeting was the inclusion of new works under NREGA.

The members of this council include representatives from the Central Government , the State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions , organizations of workers and disadvantaged groups with the representatives from women and members of Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Castes and Minorities. The Central Employment Guarantee Council is mandated to perform the following functions and duties (a) establish a central evaluation and monitoring system; (b) advise the Central Government on all matters concerning the implementation of this Act; (c) review the monitoring and redressal mechanism from time to time and recommend improvements required; (d) promote the widest possible dissemination of information about the Schemes made under this Act; (e) monitoring the implementation of this Act; (f) preparation of annual reports to be laid before Parliament by the Central Government on the implementation of this Act; (g) any other duty or function as may be assigned to it by the Central Government. In addition it is authorized to have the power to undertake evaluation of the various Schemes made under this Act and for that purpose collect or cause to be collected statistics pertaining to the rural economy and the implementation of the scheme.

A two-day meeting of the Inter Country Working Group for South Asian Conference on Sanitation (SACOSAN) was inaugurated in New Delhi today by the Union Minister of Rural Development Dr. C.P.Joshi. Country Delegates from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal and India participated in the meeting. Delegates / experts from UN, International Agencies like UNICEF, Water-AID, FANSA and WSP-SA are also participated in the meeting.

All the Gram Panchayats across the country would be having Panchayat Ghar and a Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra over the next three years. This was announced by the Union Rural Development Minister Dr. C.P.Joshi at a National Workshop on NREGA in Vigyan Bhawan here today. The workshop,¡§ NREGA: A step towards Governance Reform, Transparency and Accountability¡¨ was organized by the Union Ministry Of Rural Development on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . Sh. Rahul Gandhi was the Guest of Honour at the Workshop..

There are 2.52 lakh Gram Panchayats across the country. The Panchayat Ghars have been envisaged as the mini secretariat as a forum for the rural people to meet , share and discuss their issues, to provide logistic support and as a record keeping facility center. The Bharat Nirman Rajiv Gandhi Sewa Kendra shall be a single window for providing the information on the NREGS and shall provide feedback on the quality of implementation of the program. The idea is to slowly move on the wage employment to self employment by providing skill development facilities to the rural people and in the process give a fillip to the rural economy. The proposed design of the Bharat Nirman Seawa Kendra at every Gram Panchayat was unveiled on this occasion by Shri Rahul Gandhi.

The Ministry of Rural Development held an All Party meeting on the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in New Delhi August 26, 2009.Both the government and the national political parties were of the view that though NREGA has made a huge impact in the rural areas, there is still considerable scope for improvement in its implementation at different levels.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated Rural Development Minister’s Conference on Rural Employment on September 09, 2009. Speaking on the occasion he said the Government attaches highest priority to poverty alleviation and will work purposefully to improve the quality of public system and delivery of public service for employment generation and rural prosperity. Inaugurating a conference of Ministers of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj from States and UTs at Vigyan Bhawan here today, he underlined the need to develop the skills of Panchayati Raj Institutions in designing, planning, monitoring and the implementation of flagship , anti poverty programs NREGA and the proposed NRLM. The Conference on Rural Employment has been organized by the Ministry of Rural Development to discuss the proposed National Rural Livelihood Mission (NLRM) and emerging issues in NREGA.

Ministry of Rural Development has embarked upon a major initiative to set up one Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) in each district of the country. 110 proposals have been approved so far. In order to review the progress of the setting up Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs), a meeting of the National Level Steering Committee was held under the Chairpersonship of Dr. Rita Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development here today. The meeting was attended by the representatives from Planning Commission, Ministry of Finance, Reserve Bank of India, National Agricultural Bank for Rural Development (NABARD), States, Public Sector Banks, National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), Bankers Institutes of Rural Development (BIRD), Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSETI), and senior officers from the Ministry of Rural Development.

Union Minister of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Dr. C.P.Joshi assured the members of the ‘Committee on State Agrarian Relations and the Unfinished Task in Land Reforms’ for a considerate thought on the recommendations contained in the report prepared by the Committee. Dr. Joshi was chairing the 4th meeting of the Committee held in Krishi Bhawan during October 2009. The meeting of the Committee was called to discuss the core issues highlighted in the report of the Committee. Dr. Joshi emphasized the need to concentrate and address the core issues like redressal of anomalies in different Land Ceiling and Tenancy Acts of various States, proper survey of land, protection of community lands, correct demarcation of Forest Lands, settling Tribal Land disputes and implementation of Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA in brief) and stressed for a consensus on such issues as Land comes under the purview of the State Governments.

A Round Table on strategies for Rural Drinking Water Supply Program and Sanitation was organised by the Department of Rural Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development at the Mirza Galib Hall, Scope Complex, Lodi Road New Delhi on Wednesday, the Oct. 21st,2009. The objective was to create awareness, orient and encourage the user groups and ensure wider participation of NGOs, Women Groups in the massive task of rural drinking water supply and sanitation under the Bharat Nirman program. The day long deliberations focussed on strategies which could be conducive for State Governments and the PRIs to upscale the activities under the National Rural Drinking Water Supply Program and the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC).

The Hand Washing Day was celebrated on October 27, 2009 to promote sanitation and hygiene across the country in an organised manner. The focus this year will be on teachers who have been oriented for this purpose to ensure that all children wash their hands with soap or with other cleaning material before they eat their mid-day meal on this day. Ms. Agatha sanga, MoS for Rural Development was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

28 panchayats were honoured for making their villages ‘open-defecation free’ and nirmal villages by the President . Shrimati Pratibha Devisingh Patil for the Nirmal Gram Puraskars for the year 2009 at a function held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on November 17, 2009.

Union Minister for Rural Development has said that it is high time to further new initiatives and ideas for integrating the sustainability of charged water resources and their is an urgent need to create mass awareness on a larger scale for the attainments of targets set up for the TSC during the 11th Five year Plan period. Dr. Joshi was addressing the opening session of a Conference of State Secretaries of Rural Drinking Water & Sanitation to address the issues related to Planning for sustainable Total Sanitation along with the sustainability of Water Sources in the rural areas of the country.

Visiting Bangladeshi delegation led by its Land Minister Shri Md. Rezaul Karim Hira called on the Union Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Sisir Adhikari here on December 18, 2009. The two leaders shared ideas of land records management in the delegation level meeting. In his opening remarks, the Union Minister of State , Shri Sisir Adhikari highlighted the purpose of modernisation of land record system in India specially the National Land Record Modernisation Program (NLRMP). The citizen focus of the program and its role as a comprehensive tool for supporting and planning, developmental, regulatory and dissemination management activity was also highlighted.

During the financial year 2009-10 PIB released 203 Press Releases, 04 Invitations, 03, Features and 04 Back Grounders to publisize and cover different occasions. However, the last quarter of financial year 2008-09, i.e. first three months of year 2009 saw a total of 16 press releases and 09 invitations.

The PIB also organised a trip of media persons to show case the achievements of M/o Rural Development, Deptt. of Land Records in the State of Andhra Pradesh from November 11-14, 2009 where 7 media persons from the National Press were taken to the Medak and Ranga Reddy district for the water harvesting project sites. He same was carried by four news papers The Indian Express, the Deccan Herald, Hindustan and Nai Dunia during November and December 2009.

AKT/ST/SAK