(a) whether the country''s development agenda suffers from being predominantly top-down now and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has any intention to tailor the interventions by considering geography, prevailing culture and lifestyle of the communities for whom interventions are planned;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has any true empowerment plans in equipping rural India; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN POVERTY ALLEVIATION
(RAO INDERJIT SINGH)
(a) : Allocation of Business Rules 1961, notified on 23rd March, 2015 mandated NITI Aayog inter-alia to ‘develop mechanisms to formulate credible plans at the village level and aggregate these progressively at higher levels of government’, ‘offer a platform for resolution of development agenda’ and ‘undertake other activities as may be necessary in order to further the national development agenda’. Accordingly, a longer Vision of 15 years is being formulated by NITI Aayog keeping in view the social goals set/ proposed and in consonance with Sustainable Development Goals.
(b) & (c): The emphasis on “Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas” by the present Government symbolizes inclusive development. Thus, keeping in view of the geographical spread, diverse culture and varied lifestyles of different communitiesy, high priorities have been accorded to the schemes aimed at alleviation of poverty. Government of India, has also launched a number of programmes/ schemes to improve the standard of living of the people of the country. Some of the newly launched schemes are given at Annexure-I.
(d) & (e): Ministry of Rural Development implements various programmes namely Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana- Gramin (previously Indira Awaas Yojana), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for the benefit of the poor which are aimed at betterment of rural livelihoods and overall development of rural areas through creation of employment opportunities, infrastructure and provision of social security to the rural people. All these programmes empower rural poor. Further, Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayats are being involved in planning and execution of these programmes.
Ministry of Rural Development launched the Socio Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011 to identify the poor in rural areas and to determine eligibilities and entitlements for different programmes of Ministry of Rural Development. The SECC, 2011 has been concluded in March 2016. The poor are being identified inter alia through claims and objection process duly vetted by Gram Sabha with reference to SECC data.
National Rural Drinking Water Progarmme (NRDWP) is being implemented by the State Governments through Department of Rural Development/ Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) /State water supply and Sanitation Boards, etc, with the active involvement of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs), Line Departments and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Gram Panchayat/Village Water and Sanitation Committees (GPWSC/VWSC) are set up as a Standing Committee/ Sub Committee in each Gram Panchayat for planning, monitoring, implementation and operation and maintenance of their Water Supply Scheme to ensure active participation of the villagers.
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