(a) the role and functions of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA) and its organisational structure;
(b) whether the Government has reviewed functioning of DRDA in the country;
(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof particularly in respect of Chhattisgarh; and
(d) the other steps taken by the Government for the effective functioning of DRDA?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT)
(a): The DRDA is a registered society registered under Societies’ Registration Act or a distinct cell in the Zilla Parishad having a separate identity. The administration of the DRDA is carried out by a governing body. The governing body of the DRDA provides policy directions, approves the annual plan and also reviews and monitors the implementation of the plan, including the different programmes. As per the guidelines, the chairman of the Zilla Parishad is the chairman of governing body of the DRDA. The executive and financial functions however lie with CEO, Zilla Parishad/District Collector who is designated as the Chief Executive Officer or Executive Director. The staffing structure of DRDA must include positions to provide for Planning for poverty alleviation, Project formulation, Social organization and Capacity building, Gender concerns, Engineering supervision and Quality control, Project monitoring, Accountancy and Audit functions as well as Evaluation and Impact studies.
(b) to (d): In order to review the functioning of the DRDAs in the country, the Ministry had set up a Committee on Restructuring of DRDAs in November, 2010. The mandate of the Committee was to study the functioning of DRDAs and give suitable recommendations for its restructuring. The Committee submitted its report in January, 2012. The recommendations made by the Committee have been accepted by the Department of Rural Development with some modifications. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, a EFC note for restructuring the DRDAs was prepared and meeting of EFC took place on 10/02/2014. The decision taken by the Government on restructuring of DRDAs will be applicable to the State of Chhattisgarh as well.
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