GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

STATEMENT OF THE

MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

ON THE DEMANDS FOR GRANTS FOR 2007-2008

DEMAND NO. XXXII  Rs.1499,28,23,000   

D. SRINIVAS

MINISTER FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT, RWS, EMPLOYMENT GENERATION & B.C.WELFARE

GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Hon’ble Speaker Sir,

I  rise to present the Budget Demand No. XXXII Rural Development for Rs.1499,28,23,000 Demand for 2007-2008 comprising the following three Major Heads of Account pertaining to the Panchayat Raj & R D (Rural Development) Department.

                                                                                           (Rs. In thousands)

Funds distribution among various schemes proposed for implementation during 2007-2008 is given below:

                                                                                       (Rupees in thousands)

I now give a brief account of some of the important schemes being executed in the Department from the grants provided in the Demand.

WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES:

The Commissionerate of Rural Development is implementing Area Development Programme i.e., Watershed Development Programmes under DDP/DPAP/IWDP on Dry and Degraded lands through District Water Management Agencies.

            The following Watershed Development Programmes are being implemented in Andhra Pradesh:

1. Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP).
2. Desert Development Programme (DDP).
3. Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP).
4. Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

Comprehensive Land Development Programme (CLDP /Indira Prabha).

   Andhra Pradesh is one of the few States in the country to have an exclusive administrative agency – DWMA (District Water Management Agencies) for the implementation of Watershed Development Programme.

In order to combat the frequent recurrence of drought in the State, watershed Development Programme under DPAP/DDP schemes have been introduced by Government of India, Department of Land Resources (DOLR), Ministry of Rural Development in 94 erstwhile Blocks of 11 DPAP districts and 16 Blocks in Anantapur district under DDP during 1995-96 as Centrally sponsored schemes as per the recommendations of the Technical Committee. It is aimed to develop the Drought Prone Areas with an objective of drought proofing by taking up, soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting structures, afforestation and Horticulture programmes with watershed approach treatment practices (Ridge to Valley concept) with peoples participation.

A massive action plan for the development of all the degraded and wastelands in ten years was launched during 1996-1997. Ten-year action plan has been prepared to develop 100 lakh hectares of degraded and wastelands on watershed basis with an outlay of about Rs.4000.00 crores from 1997-2007.

1.         Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP:

This is a centrally sponsored scheme funded by Centre and State on the ratio of 50:50 basis up to IVth Batch i.e. 1998-99 and 75:25 basis from Vth Batch i.e. 1999-2000 with a Project area of Rs.20.00 lakhs per watershed and 500 ha.,  is the Project cost with a span of 4 years.  From 2000-01 onwards, the Government of India, DoLR have revised the ratio of funding pattern making it 75:25 by both Central & State Governments, Rs.30.00 lakhs is the Project cost and the Project period is for 5 years.

2.          Desert Development Programme (DDP):

This is a centrally sponsored scheme funded by Centre & State Governments on the ratio of 75:25 basis since inception of the programme i.e. 1995-96. It is aimed to develop the drought prone degraded lands and desert areas with an objective of drought proofing by taking up in-situ, soil and moisture conservation, water harvesting structures, afforestation and horticulture programmes on watershed basis. The Project shall be implemented over a period of (5) years form the date of sanction. Since 1995-96, 1,054 Watersheds have been sanctioned by Government of India,  DoLR, covering an area of 5.27 lakhs Ha. in Anantapur district.

Programme for 2007-08:

During 2006-07 the Government of India has sanctioned watersheds DPAP – 360,  DDP – 148 under Hariyali-IV Batch.

During 2007-08 action will be taken to cover more dry areas depending up on the projects to be sanctioned by Government of India.

            Based on the previous experience, the total outlay of Rs.155.68 Crores for 2007-08 (including Backlog funds),  (Central Rs.121.10 crores + State Rs.34.57 crores) under DPAP & Rs.50.10 crores (Central Rs.43.25+State Rs.6.85 crores) under DDP are provided for the year.

3.         Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP):

Since 1991-1992, 1297 watersheds were sanctioned up to September, 2005 to treat 6.41 lakhs ha of Wastelands in Andhra Pradesh.  20 New Projects have been sanctioned under I.W.D.P in 11 districts.

Programme for 2007-08:

          Based on    previous year’s experience and the proposals which are pending in Government of India for sanction of new projects and release of subsequent installments, a provision of Rs.4.91 crores has been provided in the Budget Estimates for 2007-2008 towards matching state share for implementation of the scheme.

4.         Watershed Development Fund (WDF):

An amount of Rs.1.00 crore provided for Water Shed Development Fund for the year  2007-2008.

5.  Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF  - NABARD)/ Indira Prabha (Comprehensive Land Development Project) under RIDF – IX and RIDF – X:

            Indira Prabha (Comprehensive Land Development Project) is being implemented in all the 22 Rural Districts with an outlay of Rs.448.91 crores with NABARD assistance under RIDF –IX and RIDF –X. The project is funded by NABARD on loan basis.  This project is aimed at providing an integrated and comprehensive livelihood approach centered around development of compact blocks of assigned lands of SCs, STs. BCs and other poor families. 

            It aims to ensure that these lands become productive assets for the poor through appropriate on-farm and off-farm interventions and provide food security to beneficiaries. Major interventions include bush clearance, soil moisture conservation, water harvesting, soil fertility improvement, productivity enhancement as on farm activities. The off-farm activities include promotion of livelihood activities through institutional tie-up.

             In order to provide intensive technical support to the groups of assignees, one technical assistant is provided in every mandal from out of the project cost.

            The project envisages developing 3.88 lakh acres of assigned land belonging to 2.87 lakh families of SCs, STs, BCs, and others in 8,241 blocks in 5,879 Villages of 973 Mandals over a period of three years starting from 2005-06.

            So far Rs.135.74 crores has been utilized against a release of             Rs.206.52 crores to the Districts. An extent of 1, 28,000 acres has been brought under cultivation.

 The proposed project outlay for 2007-08 is Rs. 156.00 crores to continue activities on 1.60 lakh acres and to bring into cultivation additionally as the approved cost of NABARD is Rs.448.91 crores for completing the Project by the end of 2008.

Programme for 2007-2008:

        An amount of Rs.99.00 crores provided under RIDF for the year   2007-2008.

6.                  Andhra Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act:

Government of India has passed the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 in September, 2005.  The Act provides legal guarantee of providing at least hundred days of wage employment to all the rural households whose adult members are willing to do manual wage labor.

As per the Act, each State has to prepare a Scheme with in 6 months of the enactment of the Act.  The State has launched a scheme called “Andhra Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme” which came into effect from 2^nd February 2006.

Thirteen Rural Districts of Andhra Pradesh have been notified under the Act and scheme for implementation of the provisions of the Act.  These Districts are: Vizianagaram, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, Adilabad, Mahaboobnagar, Rangareddy, Khammam, Nalgonda, Chittoor, Warangal, Ananthapur and Kadapa covering 656 Mandals.

The programme shall be implemented as Centrally Sponsored scheme with central and state share in the ratio of 90% and 10% respectively.

Under the Scheme every Rural House hold will be registered and issued a job card on demand.  Each household having a job card will be guaranteed 100days of wage employment in a financial year.  If work is not provided with in 15 days from the date of request, unemployment allowance shall be paid.

Implementation arrangements have been made to ensure that the rights and entitlements of the workers are met with and additional staff support is provided at Gram Panchayat, Mandal and District level.

 An indicative Budget of Rs.90.00 crores is provided under the Budget head as state share as against an expected central release of Rs.900.00 crores.  Administrative cost, unemployment allowance and one fourth of wages for skilled and semi skilled workers will be met from the State’s share.

The Prime Minister of India has launched the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme on 2^nd February 2006 at Bandlapalli Village of Narpala Mandal of Anantapur District.

Programme for 2007-2008:

An amount Rs.166.00 crores has been provided for the year 2007-2008 as Matching State Share basing on the indication of Government of India.

7.         Drought Relief Works:

           91 mandals in three Non- EGS Districts viz., Guntur (7), Prakasam (42) and Kurnool (42) are taken up under Drought Relief Programme to be implemented on the lines of APREGS. The mandals where rainfall is below normal and where Agriculture sowing is abnormally less than normal are selected.  For this special programme Rs.32.50 crores from state budget has been released by the Government.

        An amount of Rs. 50.00  crores provided in the Budget Estimates of 2007-2008.

8.     Assistance to District Water Management Agencies:

The existing provision of Rs.4.00 crores which includes an amount of Rs.390.85 lakhs towards salaries and Rs.9.15 lakhs towards contingencies.

Programme for 2007-2008

        An amount of Rs.3.90 crores towards Salaries and an amount of Rs.0.09 crores towards contingencies for the year 2007-2008 provided on Salaries and administrative expenses to 11 D.W.M.A Offices   

9.     A.P.Water, Land and Tree Authority (APWALTA):

To promote water conservation, Tree cover and regulate the exploitation and use of ground and surface water, land and environment in the entire state, the Government of AP promulgated the Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act-2002 and it has come into effect from 19-04-2002.

Programme for 2007-2008:

Government has notified 4,190 villages under APWALTA, banning further exploitation of ground water. For Advertising, Sales and Publicity Expenses under APWALTA an amount of Rs.0.72 crores   provided for the year 2007-2008.

10.       Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)

            It is Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded by Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25.   The objective of the scheme is to bring poor families above the poverty line by providing them income-generating assets through a mix of Bank credit and Government subsidy.

Programme for 2007-08:

            In the year 2007-08, Rs.78.47  crores is expected as the budget provision by the Central and State Governments and in the state budget Rs.29.86  crores has been provided towards state share.

11.  Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Special projects

            Government of India sanctions special projects under SGSY with an objective to ensure a time bound progrmamme for bringing a specific number of Below Poverty Line families to above the poverty line through self-employment programme.

Programme for 2007-08:

            During year 2007-08, an amount of Rs.3.00 crores has been provided in the budget towards State Share and an amount of Rs.17.00 crores is expected from the Govt. of India.

12.       State Matching Grant/Revolving Fund:

            A large numbers of formed Self Help Groups are being assisted under the scheme by providing them revolving fund besides SGSY scheme.  State Government is providing budgetary support completely.

Programme for 2007-08:

            For the year 2007-08 an amount of Rs.27.59 crores is made in the budget.

13.       Interest Subsidy  (Pavala Vaddi):

The Government of Andhra Pradesh introduced Pavala Vaddi Scheme (Interest Subsidy) during the year 2004-2005 with an objective to provide interest subsidy on the bank loans taken by the Self Help Groups in Andhra Pradesh to reduce the financial burden on them.  The scheme is applicable to all loans extended by banks on or after 1-7-2004, under SHG Bank Linkage Programme.  The incentive will be in the form of  reimbursement of interest which ever is above 3% interest  irrespective of Bank Interest rates. 

Programme for 2007-08

        An amount of Rs. 100.00 crores provided for the year 2007-2008 in Women Development and Child Welfare Demand with an aim to cover 4.00 lakh groups.

14.       National Old Age Pensions (NOAPs):

            Under the scheme Rs.200/- per pensioner per month (Rs.75/- up to 31-03-2005 & Rs.100/- during 2005-06) being given to the persons above 65 years of age who destitutes having little or no means of subsistence.  

Programme for 2007-08:

            A total allocation of Rs.200.00 crores under Non-Plan and Rs.292.52 crores under plan was made in the budget 2007-08 to assist Old age pensioners  @ Rs.200/- per Pensioner per month.

15.       Widow Pensions:

            The scheme is being implemented by the Department with effect from 01-04-2006 (Transferred from Social Welfare Dept.). Rs.200/- per pensioner per month is being given to the destitute widows.

            A total allocation of Rs.44.00 crores has been made in the budget during 2007-08 to assist 2.933 lakh Widow Pensioners @ Rs.125/- per Pensioner per month.

Programme for 2007-08:

            A total allocation of Rs.67.96 crores has been made in the budget  2007-08 to assist 2,77,616 Widow Pensioners @ Rs.200/- per Pensioner per month.

16.    Disabled Pensions:

            The Scheme is being implemented by the Department with effect from 01-04-2006 (Transferred from Disabled Welfare Department) Rs.200/- per pensioner per month is being given to the disabled persons.

Programme for 2007-08:

            A total allocation of Rs.48.96 crores has been made in the budget  2007-08 to assist 2.00 lakh disabled pensioners @Rs.200/- per Pensioner per month.

17.       Welfare Pensions under INDIRAMMA Programme:

            The Scheme is being implemented by the Department with effect from 2005-06.   Rs.200/- per pensioner per month is being given to the   pensioners under INDIRAMMA. 1/3 rd of the Villages with 8,98,891 pensioners were covered during 2006-07.

Programme for 2007-08:

            Out of the remaining 2/3^rd   Villages, 1/3^rd  will be taken up during 2007-08 and 9.00 lakhs pensioners are expected to be covered in addition to previous years 8,98,891 pensioners. An amount of Rs.200.00 crores is provided for payment of Welfare Pensions under INDIRAMMA Programme @ Rs.200/- per month per Pensioner.

18.       National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS):

Under the scheme Rs.5000/- per family being given to the BPL families whose bread earner died/expired.

Programme for 2007-08:

            A total allocation of Rs.14.80 crores was made in the budget 2007-08 to assist 29,605 families @ Rs.5000/- per family.

19.        Kolleru Lake Operations:

A Special Package for the families effected due to Kolleru lake operations in West Godavari and Krishna Districts was launched during 2006-07.

Programme for 2007-08:

            A total allocation of Rs.21.00 crores was made in the budget 2007-08 to assist 29,605 affected families in West Godavari and Krishna Districts @ Rs.5000/- per family.

20.       Jobs for the unemployed youth in RIAD under “Rajiv Yuva Sakthi”:

            Government is focusing on providing employment opportunities for rural youth from RIAD Villages by giving them employable skills.  An amount of Rs.70.00 Crores is provided in the Budget 2007-08.

21.  Dairy Development Programme in Kadapa, Anantapur and Mahabubnagar Districts:

            In order to given an impetus to Dairy development as a means for expanding incomes of the poor woman, an amount of Rs.6.00 Crores is provided in the budget 2007-08.

22.       Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute (SRTRI):

             Swamy Ramananda Tirtha Rural Institute was established in 1995 and is an autonomous body registered under Societies Act. The Primary aim of the Institute is to empower rural people by providing easy access to Technical education, training and related activities.  The induction and adoption of newer and improved Technology in production process is the key to ensure better quality to improve production and ensure economic betterment. The Institute trains the rural unemployed poor (men and women) in a large scale utilizing the physical facilities of various educational institutions like ITIs, Polytechnics.   It has been giving training in over 45 trades along with the EDP Programmes. 

Programme for 2007-08:

            A provision of Rs.2.00 crores has been made as an assistance to the Swamy Ramananda Thirtha Rural Institute for its activities.

23.       AMR – A.P. Academy of Rural Development (AMR APARD):

        AMR–Andhra Pradesh Academy of Rural Development is the Apex institute for Training and Capacity Building of Panchayat Raj and Rural Development functionaries.   The main objective of the Academy is to improve the skills of the Department, through Training, Action Research, Monitoring and Evaluation.  The Study Centres of the Academy carries out the following activities for the Departments.

1. Training of Officials and elected Representatives of three tiers of PRIs

2. Conducting Evaluation Studies on the programmes of the user Departments and on the Training Programmes conducted by the Academy.

3. Organizing workshops on Devolution of powers and other issues related to local self-governance and Rural Development.

4. Documentation of best practices in local self-governance, Rural Development, People Centered Participatory approaches.

5. Training Programmes and Studies on Drought, Tsunami and Disaster Management for PR Functionaries, Revenue Functionaries and NGOs.

6. SHG Management, HIV/AIDS awareness, INDIRAMMA Programme, Health & Nutrition, Child Labour, Gender Sensitization and Women Development.

7. Training and Evaluations on Watershed programmes, Livelihoods Programmes, APREGS, Water and Sanitation, CLDP, Management of DLRCs and CLRCs, GIS and Management of NGOs consortium.

8. Training programmes on Computer Applications for all the functionaries of PRIs, RD and the staff of APARD and ETCs.

9. Training to the Revenue Officials on Land and Revenue Administration.