Question : Rural Development Schemes

(a) whether rural development programmes/schemes are reportedly facing financial crunch in a number of States in the country;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto along with the details of the financial assistance given for such schemes/projects during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(c) the present status of various ongoing rural development schemes/programmes in the country, State/UT-wise; and

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to improve the effectiveness of various rural development programmes/ schemes being implemented in the country?

MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI BIRENDER SINGH)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

Statement referred in reply to parts (a) to (d) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 34 for answer on 25.02.2016

(a) and (b): The details of financial assistance given to States for implementation of rural development programmes, namely, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Pradhan Mantri Gram SadakYojana (PMGSY) and Indira AwaasYojana(IAY) during the last three years and current year are given in Annex-I. Except MGNREGA, which is a demand driven programme, other programmes are allocation based and funding is shared by the Center and States. So far as Central share of allocation is concerned the funds were released to the States as per the prescribed mechanism for each programme so that States do not face any financial crunch while implementing these programmes.

(c): Current status of the implementation of various ongoing rural development programmes in terms of physical progress is given in Annex-II.

(d): The Ministry has taken a number of steps for improving the effectiveness of rural development programmes such as Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise (IPPE) in selected most backward blocks improving the convergence with the line departments, improving the quality of works, building the capacity of the States/Programme Implementing Agencies, ensuring transparency, accountability and Grievance Redressal System and use of technology to cut the delays in flow of funds.