Question : Higher Educational Institutions

(a) whether the Government has launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has issued directions to all higher educational institutions to adopt backward villages in their vicinity and apply their knowledge and expertise to improve the infrastructure in Gram Panchayats under their watch under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has entrusted some tasks under the Abhiyan to higher educational institutions if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the higher educational institutions have identified villages in their vicinity for intervention if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) : Yes Sir. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has launched Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) on 11th November, 2014 to enable higher educational institutions to work with the people of rural India in identifying development challenges and evolving appropriate solutions for accelerating sustainable growth. The MHRD has advised all the higher educational institutions which are funded by the Central /State Government and all institutions which are under approval by the regulatory bodies to adopt clusters of backward Gram Panchayats / villages in their vicinity and apply their knowledge and expertise to improve the infrastructure in the Gram Panchayats (GPs). The details regarding the UBA can be accessed at http://unnat.iitd.ac.in.The State-wise details are provided in Annexure.
(d): Higher educational institutions have been advised to give special emphasis on issues pertaining to sanitation, drinking water supply, energy, agriculture and allied activities, irrigation, education, health, etc. and to provide innovative solution in consultation with Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs).
(e): Two Hundred and One (201)villages have been identified for intervention by institutions of higher education. The institute wise number of villages identified is given inAnnexure.
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