Question : VILLAGE UPLIFTMENT

(a) whether since independence several measures have been taken to bring a revolutionary change in rural development;

(b) whether there have been no dearth of initiative at both State and centre and it has stopped short reality and that bites enough to continue the search for practical;

(c) whether the experts have suggested a model with the four props of rural employment infrastructure development decentralisation and community empowerment; and

(d) if so, the programmes the Government have initiated or propose to be initiated to implement these four formulas for village upliftment ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI SUBHASH MAHARIA)

(a) to (d): Yes, sir. A number of programmes have been taken up since independence to give major thrust to development of rural areas. Priority to agriculture and rural development, with a view to generating adequate productive employment and eradication of poverty, is one of the objectives of the Ninth Five Year Plan.

In order to improve delivery of benefits under the various rural development schemes, social mobilization and empowerment of the people through Panchayti Raj Institutions, community based Self-Help Groups and other User Groups is being pursued. The major programmes of Rural Development have also been restructured with effect from 1.04.99.