Question : Expert Group on SECC

(a) whether the Expert Group set up to prepare Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) has submitted its report recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the recommendations made in the report and the steps taken to implement them along with the time frame for implementation, recommendation-wise;

(d) whether the criteria for allocation of resources to States and identification and prioritization of beneficiaries under various programmes using SECC data were studied by the Expert Group and if so, the details thereof including the recommendations made by the Group and the action taken thereon; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to use the SECC data as Social Registry Information System (SRIS) particularly to identify the beneficiaries under rural development programmes and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) & (b): An Expert Group on Socio Economic Caste Census – Rural (SECC-Rural)) was constituted by the Ministry on 01.01.2016 to study the objective criteria for allocation of resources to States and identification and prioritization of beneficiaries under various programme using SECC data. The Expert Group has submitted its Report on 13.01.2017.

(c) & (d): The Expert Group on SECC – Rural has made recommendations on the objective criteria for allocation of resources to States and identification and prioritization of beneficiaries under various programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development. The Group, inter alia, has made following major recommendations related to various programmes of the Ministry:

(i) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) needs to be more focused towards the regions where there is more concentration of landless labourer or people suffering from multi-dimensionality of deprivations.


(ii) SECC data should be used in the identification of beneficiaries under Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana -National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).



(iii) The selection of beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana(PMAY) be made using SECC data.

(iv) The amount of assistance under National Social Assistance Programme(NSAP) needs to be increased annually based on increase in Consumer Price Index.

(v) Pension for widows in the age group of 18-39 years needs to be instituted. At present Widow Pension is provided only to the widows of age 40 years and above.

(vi) The Group also recommended that assistance to parents of young disabled children upto 18 years of age for their education and skill development.

(vii) SECC needs to be updated regularly.

The Expert Group, Committee, Concurrent Evaluation and Impact Assessment Studies etc. are constituted by the Ministry as a part of comprehensive multi-level and multi-tool system of monitoring and evaluation of implementation of its programmes to ensure that the objectives of schemes are achieved. Corrective measures are taken by the Government keeping in view the programme objectives and fiscal space.

(e): The Group felt that the SECC has the potential to move from being the only a census-like socio-economic database to becoming the core of a functioning Social Registry Information System (SRIS).

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