Unit 6 Rural Development Programmes in India - I

Rural development is a cornerstone of India's economic strategy, given that a significant proportion of the
population resides in rural areas. The focus of rural development programs is to improve agricultural productivity,
alleviate poverty, enhance infrastructure, and promote social welfare through self-employment and wage
employment schemes. This unit explores major government initiatives aimed at poverty alleviation, economic
development, and social security in rural areas.

1. Government's Role in Rural Development

The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) leads policy formulation and program implementation. Various
sectors such as agriculture, health, drinking water, and renewable energy contribute to rural growth. Programs
such as Bharat Nirman and MGNREGA reflect the government's commitment to creating sustainable livelihoods.
The government also works through Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), NGOs, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to
ensure effective implementation.

2. Key Strategies and Programs

2.1 Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)

Launched in 1978-79, the IRDP aimed to improve self-employment opportunities for small farmers, landless
laborers, and rural artisans. It provided a combination of subsidies and bank credit. Sub-programs under IRDP
include:

• Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM)

• Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA)

• Supply of Improved Tool-Kits to Rural Artisans (SITRA)

• Ganga Kalyan Yojana (GKY)

IRDP achieved significant success, but the low per-family investment limited its long-term impact in raising
beneficiaries above the poverty line.

2.2 National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

Introduced in 1995, NSAP provides financial assistance to vulnerable sections of society. Its components include:

• National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS): Monthly pensions for destitute elderly individuals.

• National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS): A lump-sum payment to families on the death of the primary
breadwinner.

• National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS): Assistance for poor pregnant women to meet nutritional
needs.

2.3 Rural Housing Programs

The Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), launched in 1985, aims to provide free housing to Scheduled Castes (SC),
Scheduled Tribes (ST), and bonded laborers living below the poverty line. Later, the program expanded to cover
other marginalized groups. Credit-cum-subsidy schemes and grants for upgrading housing units have been added
to improve housing conditions.

3. Rural Employment Programs

3.1 Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY)

The JRY, launched in 1989, merged the earlier National Rural Employment Programme (NREP) and Rural Landless
Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP). It aimed to provide wage employment to rural households while
creating community assets.

3.2 Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)

Introduced in 1999-2000, SGSY focuses on self-employment by organizing poor families into Self-Help Groups
(SHGs). The scheme provides subsidies and loans to help beneficiaries engage in sustainable livelihoods. Fifty
percent of beneficiaries must be SC/STs, with 40% reserved for women.

3.3 Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

Enacted in 2005, MGNREGA guarantees 100 days of wage employment to every rural household. The Act focuses
on creating durable assets and strengthening natural resource management. Key features include:

• Unemployment allowance if work is not provided within 15 days.

• Equal wages for men and women.

• Social audits conducted by Gram Sabhas to ensure transparency.

4. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

Launched in 2010, NRLM aims to reduce rural poverty by organizing women into SHGs and building community-
based institutions. The program supports entrepreneurship, training, and infrastructure development in
agriculture and allied sectors, targeting nearly 70 million households across India.

Conclusion

India’s rural development programs reflect a multi-pronged approach to improving rural livelihoods through
poverty alleviation, employment generation, and social welfare initiatives. These programs emphasize self-
employment, wage employment, housing, and social security to ensure inclusive growth. While the government
has made significant progress, strengthening governance mechanisms and improving beneficiary outcomes
remain key priorities for sustainable rural development.
 Unit 7 Rural Development Programmes – II

This section delves into basic services and infrastructure development essential for improving the quality of life
in rural areas. Programs focus on areas such as housing, health, sanitation, roads, drinking water, energy, and
education, complementing employment and poverty alleviation efforts. These initiatives are aligned with the
government’s goal of achieving inclusive development and sustainable livelihoods.

1. Shift in Rural Development Strategies

The rural development strategy evolved over time from growth-oriented policies to more integrated and holistic
approaches. The major strategies include:

1. Growth-Oriented Strategy: Focused on increasing agricultural production and economic growth.

2. Welfare-Oriented Strategy: Targeted marginalized sections such as SCs, STs, and women with welfare
schemes.

3. Responsive Strategy: Adapted to local needs and ensured community participation.

4. Holistic Strategy: Combined economic, social, and environmental development.

2. Major Infrastructure and Basic Services Programs

2.1 Minimum Needs Programme (MNP)

Introduced in the Fifth Five-Year Plan, MNP aimed to provide essential services like education, health, drinking
water, housing, and roads. Components were expanded over time to include:

• Elementary Education and Adult Education

• Rural Health and Sanitation

• Rural Electrification and Domestic Energy

• Public Distribution System (PDS)

MNP operates as a comprehensive package to ensure a basic standard of living across states.

2.2 Twenty-Point Programme (TPP)

Launched in 1975, the TPP aimed at poverty eradication and improving the quality of life through specific goals.
It was revised in 1982, 1986, and 2006. Key focus areas include:

1. Garibi Hatao (Poverty Eradication)

2. Jan Shakti (Power to People) through decentralization

3. Kisan Mitra (Farmer Support)

4. Shramik Kalyan (Labour Welfare)

This program emphasizes social equity and aligns with national priorities like the MGNREGA and
Swaranajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY.

2.3 Bharat Nirman

Bharat Nirman, introduced in 2005-06, aimed at infrastructure development in six critical areas:

1. Irrigation: Enhancing cultivable area by one crore hectares.

2. Drinking Water: Ensuring safe drinking water in all rural habitations.

 3. Housing: Constructing 60 lakh houses under the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY).

4. Road Connectivity: Providing all-weather roads through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).

5. Rural Electrification: Expanding access under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

6. Telephony: Providing telecommunication services to all villages.

2.4 Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Launched in 2000, PMGSY aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. It enhances
access to markets, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities and focuses on reducing urban-rural
disparities. Maintenance of roads is overseen by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs.

3. Social Sector and Livelihood Programs

3.1 National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

NRHM was launched in 2005 to provide quality healthcare services with a focus on maternal and child health. Its
key goals include:

• Reducing infant mortality and maternal mortality rates.

• Universal immunization and sanitation services.

• Promoting AYUSH and primary healthcare facilities.

• Community ownership and strengthening of healthcare infrastructure.

3.2 Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)

SSA, launched in 2001, aims to provide universal elementary education to children aged 6-14 years. Its key
features include:

• Building primary schools within a kilometer of every habitation.

• Mid-Day Meal Scheme to improve nutritional status.

• Special focus on SC/ST and minority children to reduce social gaps.

3.3 Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

Introduced in 2008, IWMP focuses on restoring the ecological balance through soil conservation, water
management, and afforestation. This program aims to promote multi-cropping and livelihood opportunities in
drought-prone areas, integrating agriculture, horticulture, and other activities.

4. Convergence of Rural Development Programs

The government emphasizes synergies among multiple programs to enhance efficiency and reduce duplication.
Convergence planning ensures better utilization of resources by aligning development goals across sectors.
Examples include:

• MGNREGA’s integration with agricultural schemes.

• Combining watershed management with livelihood promotion programs.

• Public-private-community partnerships for sustainable rural development.

Conclusion
The rural development programs discussed in this unit reflect a comprehensive approach to addressing the multi-
dimensional challenges of rural life. The shift towards basic infrastructure development, education, healthcare,
and community participation marks a significant step towards inclusive growth. Convergence of schemes ensures
better outcomes, making development efforts more effective at the grassroots level.