Question : RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

(a) the details of various rural development schemes undertaken by the Government in rural areas of the country;

(b) the criteria for allocation of Central funds to States under various rural development schemes including Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY);

(c) the details of the funds allocated, released and utilized under each scheme during the Eleventh plan period and during the current Five Year Plan including the current year, State/UT- wise and year-wise;

(d) whether the Government has made any assessment of the achievements in implementation of the schemes and to enhance the allocation for all these schemes;

(e) if so, the details thereof in the light of current year budget;

(f) whether misuse of funds for these schemes have come to the notice of the Government; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) : The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing various rural development programmes in rural areas of the country namely, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) and Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) through State Governments and UT Administrations. The objective of these programmes is to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life in rural areas through employment generation, development of rural infrastructure and provision of other basic amenities.

(b) : The scheme wise criteria for allocation of central funds to various States are as under:
MGNREGA: It is a demand-driven scheme, no Statewise allocation is made under MGNREGA. Funds are released to States as per their requirement which is assessed on the basis of advance projection of labour demand.
IAY: Allocation is made to the States/UTs broadly on the basis of 75% weightage to housing shortage in rural areas as per the latest census data and 25% weightage to the number of people below poverty line (BPL).
PMGSY: The projects in the States are sanctioned as per proposals sent by the States and as per PMGSY guidelines. The funds for these sanctioned projects are allocated/released as per PMGSY Guidelines keeping in view the pace of implementation, level of spending and the unspent balance available with the States.
NRLM: The allocation is based on the poverty ratio in the case of all States except Jammu & Kashmir where the actual requirement of funds to cover 2/3 rd of the rural households over a period of five years is provided.
NSAP: The NSAP is a social assistance programme for the poor BPL household- for the aged, widows, disabled and also includes a provision for one time assistance in the case of death of the primary bread winner in a BPL family. The funds under this scheme are provided as additional assistance to the States / UT. There is a no provision for state share. This ensures that all beneficiaries are provided with a uniform minimum assistance.
IWMP: No State-wise allocation of Central Funds is made by the Ministry.

(c) : Details are given at Annexure-I to IV.

(d) & (e): The states are allocated funds after the assessment of their fund requirement. MGNREGA being a demand driven all inclusive programme, no allocation of funds is made under the Act. The Central Government releases funds to the States based on the labour demand arising at field level.

(f) & (g): All complaints about irregularities irrespective of their natures, received time to time, are forwarded to the concerned State Governments/ agencies for remedial actions.