Institutional Mechanism for Rural Development

In the previous post we learned about State Level Rural Development Programme. The objective of this post is to become familiar with the many institutions that India's rural development programs are administered by. to comprehend the relationships between these institutions and their guiding ideals. to learn more about the difficulties in implementing institutionally-based rural development programs.

Content

Introduction:
District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)
Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART)
State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD)
Rural Industries Consultancy Service Cell (RICS)
Scheme for Fund Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)
Product Development Design Intervention and Packaging (PRODIP)
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) – A Corridor of Rural Development
Significance of Rural Development Administration
Conclusion

Introduction

Agriculture and Rural Development has been the key mantra for a sustained and longterm economic growth in India. The same is in the sharper focus today with the Government taking keen interest to ensure a comprehensive and visible uplift of this sector through effective implementation of various schemes (Jain:2011).

The Ministry of Rural Development, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), and Khadi and Village Industries Commission are primarily responsible for managing the government's large-scale rural development programs (KVIC). In addition to a few independent organizations like the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), National Rural Roads Development Agency (NRRD), and Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), the National Institute of Rural Development also collaborates with the government to improve rural India.

In 1979, the Ministry of Rural Development became a full-fledged Ministry. The Department of Rural Development, the Department of Drinking Water Supply, and the Department of Land Resources make up the Ministry. The Ministry of Rural Development in India is the top organization for drafting laws, rules, and policies pertaining to the growth of the rural sector. Assam's Directorate of Panchayat and Rural Development has been renamed to Commissionerate of Panchayat and Rural Development, and the state now has two wings: the Panchayat Wing and the Rural Development Wing. Through a network of 27 DRDAs, 21 Zilla Parishads, 219 Community Development Blocks, 188 Anchalik Panchayats, and 2202 Gaon Panchayats, both wings have been carrying out different State and Centrally supported programs (after delimitation). The Assam districts listed on Assam's sixth schedule do not have a panchayati raj system. Aside from a few State-specific programs, all of the programs in the rural development sector are covered under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (Economic Survey 2010-11).

The current goals of the rural development sector's programs are to reduce poverty by giving self-employment opportunities to those who fall below the federal poverty line as periodically determined by the planning commission and by providing housing for BPL families who are currently homeless. Additionally, rural development offers 100 days of assured employment while producing enduring assets. The Indian government has set up an institutional system to deliver its rural development programs to the ground up. Numerous government agencies are in charge of managing the numerous plans and initiatives. The Panchayati Raj Institutions are paramount (PRIs). Through the PRIs, the other intuitions carry out their programs. Following is a discussion of the various government entities related to rural development.

District Rural Development Agency (DRDA):

The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has historically been the main district-level organization responsible for directing the execution of various anti-poverty programs. However, a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Strengthening the DRDAs was created with effect from 1st April 1999, taking into consideration the necessity for an efficient body at the District level to coordinate the antipoverty programs. According to this plan, the Central and State Governments split the expense of staffing DRDA facilities 75:25.

The main goal of the DRDA Administration Scheme is to professionalize the DRDA in order to enable it to efficiently manage the anti-poverty programs of the Ministry of Rural Development and collaborate with other organizations. In order to gather support and resources needed for the district's efforts to reduce poverty, the DRDAs are expected to work efficiently with the line departments, the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the banks and other financial institutes, the NGOs, as well as technical institutions. In order to implement various programs, district rural development agencies have partnered with numerous line departments, organizing and mobilizing the local population. Through the creation of SHGs, DRDAs have been providing credit to the destitute and credit-deserving low. For this study, it was observed that the majority of the chosen NGOs collaborated with DRDAs to organize SHGs, carry out various training programs, and build facilitation centers under the SGSY program.

Council for the Advancement of Rural Technology and People's Action (CAPART)

The Ministry of Rural Development is the umbrella organization for the autonomous Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), which was established in 1986 and is incorporated under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The increasing relationship between nonprofits and the Indian government for the sustainable development of rural areas is being catalyzed and coordinated by CAPART. Since its founding, CAPART has started numerous programs for rural development through NGOs in every State and numerous districts around the nation. Since CAPART's projects are not routed through State Departments or District Administration, CAPART Headquarters and its regional offices are responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and choosing NGOs.

State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD)

The foremost organization for training and research in the broad field of rural development is the State Institute of Rural Development, Assam. Following the institute's registration under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 in April 1998, the government granted it administrative and financial autonomy. To address the training needs in a decentralized way, the institution has 15 Extension Centers operating under it at the zonal level. The State Centres for Training and Research in Rural Development programme was developed by the Indian government in March 1983 because training was now seen as a tool for human resource development that could speed up national development. The roles and goals of SIRD are to increase capacity for self-employment in rural areas by engaging in economically viable activities through skill orientation training programs on management development, technology support, skill upgradation, etc. In order to raise awareness of issues and problems and to plan an awareness campaign at the local level about socioeconomic status and welfare programs put forth by the government for the development of rural areas, it is also necessary to conduct seminars and workshops on topics such as education, health, sanitation, drinking water, social justice, equity, and social problems for officials, non-officials, and representatives of line departments, NGOs, and CBOs.

The State Institute of Rural Development trained up to 83,000 PRI members and representatives of various rural development schemes in 2009–10 as part of the study trip and exposure visit program. In addition, 20,000 participants of the Chief Minister's Jeevan Jyoti Swa-Niyojan Yojana and 10,000 beneficiaries of the Skill Development and Employment Generation Scheme both received training.

Rural Industries Consultancy Service Cell (RICS)

The KVIC Rural Industries Consultancy Service (RICS), which offers first generation entrepreneurs services including project formulation, coordination with banks, technical backing, marketing support, etc., was established to increase the effectiveness and accessibility of the PMEGP scheme. These incentives will assist new business owners in starting projects that are more manageable and viable.

Scheme for Fund Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)

A program called "Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries" has been launched by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises of the Government of India (SFURTI). A cluster of at least 500 traditional craftspeople will receive support from KVIC through this program for skill development, CFC, and marketing via reputable NGOs. This 5-year project aims to expand the traditional industry as a whole and provide craftspeople with stable income. The program's nodal agency is KVIC. Ten (10) SFURTI cluster development programs are now being carried out in the North Eastern Region under the Village Industries sector. One of the best SFURTI clusters in the North Eastern region, the Cane and Bamboo SFURTI cluster in Barpeta might lead to meaningful full-time employment and greater income for the artisans producing Cane and Bamboo utility and decorative products. More than 1000 artists have profited, and it placed a cherry on top by lending 200 craftspeople working capital loans by connecting them to bank financing. This cluster has been chosen as the region's most innovative cluster, and it will be under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister's office.

Product Development Design Intervention and Packaging (PRODIP)

Product quality and design requirements have emerged as the most crucial criteria for bolstering the KVI industry in order to meet competition from the emergence of alternative materials, organized industries, and imported goods. KVIC has started a program called PRODIP to operationalize design-related projects.

Administration of Rural Development:

Different meanings can be attached to the word administration. At the moment, it alludes to the government. Encyclopaedia defines administration as the process of managing and carrying out tasks. The term "rural development administration" refers to a field that focuses on rural development. The term "rural development administration" refers to the process of comprehensively planning, organizing, coordinating, and controlling the use of people and physical resources in rural areas.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) – A Corridor of Rural Development

The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act 1992, which was enacted on April 20, 1993 after receiving the President of India's approval, was put into effect by government notification and gives the Panchayati Raj System new power, dimensions, and a fresh look as a tool for rural development (Dutta:2009). When Panchayati Raj was originally discussed in 1957, it was regarded as a political and administrative reform of immense significance. It was portrayed as a method of broad public participation.

The Panchayati Raj bodies were meant to awaken rural India's political consciousness and foster a democratic process. The establishment of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee to assess the community development and National Extension Service Programmes in 1957 gave the Panchayati Raj movement in India a boost. Panchayati Raj's history has been one of ups and downs. It has gone through five significant phases: ascendancy (1957–1964), stagnation (1965–1969), decline (1969–77), revival (1980–93), and consolidation phases (1993–present) (1993 onwards). Since their inception, PRIs have only engaged in a small number of activities. Elections there were erratic, and their resource basis was poor (Jain:2011). The failure of policies for reducing poverty through programs and the falling level of participation of people in the development process have reignited interest in the PRIs, which has culminated in the granting of legislative status to the PRIs.

The Panchayati Raj system was institutionalized in India largely as a result of recommendations and ideas put forth by various committees and subcommittees. Thus, all efforts culminated in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which granted the Panchayati Raj Institutions constitutional legitimacy (PRIs). It becomes clear that a more bottom-up, democratic, participatory approach to development was required to achieve more egalitarian and balanced development. According to the 73rd constitutional amendment, there will be a three-tier system of panchayats at the village, intermediate, block, and district levels. Seats in the panchayats at all three levels will be filled by direct election, and seats in all of the panchayats will be reserved for SCs and STs in proportion to their population. The newly established Panchayati Raj introduced the "Gram Sabha"—a body made up of people who are registered to vote in the village-level Panchayat elections. Gram Sabha is an open forum within the system that represents the people's collective aspiration, knowledge, and will. Here, face-to-face participatory democracy can be used to increase administrative accountability, openness, and public knowledge. At this level, every physical and human resource available is mobilized to create priority programs in socioeconomic sectors.

PRIs have a significant impact on the overall rural development process. First off, the mere fact that PRIs exist closes a sizable organizational gap. Second, the Panchayati Raj administration promotes development through education. Thirdly, participatory mechanisms might be developed for planning at the local level. Fourthly, better program implementation results from PRI participation in program implementation. Fifthly, the PRIs function as a democracy's school and are appropriately referred to as its nurseries. The SGSY explicitly defines the PRIs' position as one of leadership in the identification, planning, and implementation of the scheme.

Significance of Rural Development Administration

Rural development administration is significant due to its

Rapidity in rural development
Co-ordination between rural development agencies
Efficient Direction
Efficient use of financial resources
Development according to Government priorities
Balanced rural development
Personnel Management

As a unit that develops policies, the central administration of rural development plays a crucial part in the process of rural development. Additionally, it serves as the financial source for the execution of programs for rural development.

The Ministry of Rural Development, which is the lead ministry in the fight against rural poverty, focuses on land reform, rural roads, town and country planning, rural electricity, rural water supply, housing for landless rural residents, and rural connectivity.

In the absence of the financial support supplied by the Center for the different schemes, the state governments would have found it difficult and nearly impossible to implement these programs, especially for the weaker members of society. In order to assist in mid-course adjustments to the programs, the Union Government has also been providing the necessary input through its assessment studies.

Administration at the State Level:

The State Governments are directly in charge of carrying out the programs for rural development. A key part of rural development is played by the state-level rural development administration. The Department of Rural Development implements the majority of the rural development programs at the State level.

Administration at the District level

The Ministry of Rural Development's many anti-poverty programs are managed and implemented at the district level primarily by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA). The main goal of the administration plan for the DRDA is to professionalize the organization so that it can effectively handle the anti-poverty initiatives of the Ministry of Rural Development and collaborate with other organizations.

Administrative set up at the Block level

Since 1952, the Block has served as the primary unit for carrying out community development programs. The primary player in block level administration is the Block Development Officer. After the Panchayati Raj was established, the BDO became the Executive Officer of the Panchayat Samiti. The BDO oversees the Gram Panchayats in addition to serving as the block level supervisory officer for the office of rural development administration. The final stage of rural development administration is the village level worker, often known as the Gram Sewak or VLW.

Every state in India prioritizes rural development as one of its development planning goals. In Assam, 86 percent of the state's population resides in rural areas, the majority of whom are considered to be economically and socially backward. The State Government has been making special efforts to end rural poverty and improve the economic standing of those living there. In order to accomplish its goals, the State Government has been putting into action a number of the Government of India's programs and schemes aimed at reducing poverty. The Panchayat and Rural Development Department of the State is in charge of carrying out these initiatives. (Economic survey for 2010–2011.) However, India's development history has repeatedly demonstrated the shortcomings of efforts made by the Central Government to support efficient rural development at the local level. In order to successfully implement development programs designed for the poor, there was an urgent need of the hour for an alternative institution, and it was a non-governmental organization. This trend is becoming more and more obvious as a result of the global fiscal crisis, the need for increased human resource development within the economic likelihood, health, nutrition status, and overall wellbeing of the rural poor, as well as (NGO). The growing understanding that the central government and private sector lack the capacity to respond to the transformation of poverty alleviation is reflected in the rise of NGOs as a potent institutional alternative. 2003 (Shankar).

In the era of globalization, successful implementation of development programmes requires an appropriate policy framework, formulation of suitable plan schemes, and effective delivery machinery. In this broad arena of the developmental process, the work and skill of Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) /NGOs have received direct attention during the last two decades. (Ravichandran: 2007).

Conclusion

Under the direction of the ministry of rural development, the Indian government oversees the country's rural development program. Several institutions, including DRDA, CAPART, and SIRD, are making contributions in various sectors to the implementation of the rural development program. Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), a statutory body created by the 73rd (Constitutional) Amendment, serve as the primary institution for the discussion of this program.

Reference

Chauhan, I.S & Bais, V.S (1995), Social Structure and Rural Development, Rawat Publications, New Delhi
Daimari, P (2008), Economic Development of Assam: Problems and Prospects, EBH Publishers, Guwahati
Dutta, S & Nath, A (2013),Partnership in Rural Development: Go-NGO Partnership , New Delhi Publishers, New Delhi
Dutta,S (2009), Democratic Decentralisation and Grassroot Leadership in India, Mittal, New Delhi
Palanithurai, G (2005), ‘ Good Governance at Grassroot’, The Indian Journal of Political Science, Vol- LXVI (2), pp-289-302
Ravichandran, N (2007), Sustainability of NGOs and Globalisation, Rawat Publications, New Delhi
Singh, V (2003), Panchayati Raj and Village Development, Sarup & Sons Publications, New Delhi