GRAM UDAY SE SHARAT UDAY ASHIY AN

GRAM SABHA READER

FOR NATIONAL PANCHAYATI RAJ DAY

PART I : ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION

Greetings to all members of Gram Sabha!!

Welcome to the special Gram Sabha for the National Panchayati Raj Day which is part of the

Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday Abhiyan. National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated every yearon 24th April since on this day, the Panchayati Raj system got constitutional recognition as

the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution came into force. In this Gram Sabha we will discuss

the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), proper utilisation of funds, clean water and

sanitation, and women's role in rural development. We will also discuss various governmentschemes, and how we can benefit from them.

1. GramPanchayatDevelopmentPlan

~:

While reading this part, the Gram Panchayat members may explain what the Gram Panchayathas done, and plans to do this year in Gram Panchavat Development Plan.

As you know, we are now addressing the development of our Gram Panchayat veryseriously. For this, we are preparing the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

We must remember that the development of the Gram Panchayat is in our hands. If we have

resources and plan well, we will be able to address some of our most important needs.

Government of India will now be providing financial assistance to every Gram Panchayat of

the country, and we have funds under MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat etc. We must think about

how we can use these funds to reduce poverty, provide clean water, make our village open

defecation free & clean, assist the poorest people in our village, do the best for our children,support women, and our other goals.

For this, we need to hear the voice of the people regarding the development of thePanchayat, and we need to fix our goals and priorities as per their needs. You must all

participate in the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. When we participate in the Gram

Panchayat Development Plan, we have to prioritise the needs of poor people, women,children, disabled and aged of our Panchayat. Then, let us look at how much money we

have, and how much money and labour we can contribute, and what can be done withoutmoney. Then let us decide the projects we want to take up and make our plan.

Page1 of 15

• •

Let us now understand the steps of planning. We will first make a resource group of

Panchayat representatives, government functionaries, representatives from hamlets, youths,

Self-Help Groups (SHG) members, NGOs, standing committee members etc. who will visithamlets, discuss with the community, and prepare a draft Panchayat Development Report.This report will highlight the local development issues which should be addressed in theGPDP. All the members of the Gram Sabha are requested to participate in these planning

activities and to actively cooperate with the Panchayat planning team in highlighting local

needs and issues. SHGs should use this forum as an opportunity to discuss ideas for

women's empowerment, especially in the areas of safe drinking water and sanitation, and in

the areas of livelihoods like agriculture and micro-enterprise. Skill development needs for

livelihood can also be discussed.

The resource group will then consolidate the information and development priorities. The

Gram Panchayat will discuss these, and present them in the Gram Sabha. On the basis of

the findings of the report, and after discussions in the Gram Sabha, the priorities will be

decided in the Gram Sabha. The final plan will be based on the funds available in the Gram

Panchayat. Activities that are considered more important in the Gram Sabha will be taken up

first. We must all ensure that needs of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women,

children and aged are met in this plan. We must consider no cost and low cost activities.

The aim of our plan is to do things, and not just spend money.

We may need to hold two or more Gram Sabhas for preparing development plans. As Gram

Sabha members, we should all feel free to participate and even ask questions whenever

required. We must always remember that GPDP is planning of the people, by the people and

for the people and therefore, the interests of the marginalised, poor and women need to be

adequately addressed. The GPDP is an opportunity to identify important goals like safe

drinking water and sanitation and for the entire Panchayat to work together towards making

that goal a reality that will transform our lives.

2. Utilisation of Funds

Note:While reading this part, the funds available with the Gram Panchayat in 2016-17, and funds likelyto be available in 2017-18 may be explained.

So far, we have talked about making a plan. But to really get benefit from the plan, we must

make sure that we use all the funds available with us in the best possible manner. Our

funds, and the funds provided by the Central and State Government, are for the

Page 2 of 15

· ,

development of the people and the Gram Sabha has been given the responsibility to ensure

that these public funds are utilised properly and in the interests of all.

But how can we ensure this?

As we have already discussed, actively participating in the planning process is the first step

to ensure that Gram Panchayat (GP) funds are utilised for activities that are as per the

priority of the people. If we choose activities that are most useful, we will allocate money as

per our needs.

Once the plan is prepared and approved by the Gram Sabha, the next step isimplementation. Here, we need to make sure that money is not wasted. We must buy good

quality, low cost materials and do everything on time. A lot of money is often wasted

because of delays. We must all keep a watch on how projects are being implemented.

Wherever money is not being utilized well, please bring it up in the Gram Sabha. The Gram

Sabha can form a committee for monitoring projects.

Gram Sabha members can ensure transparency and make the Gram Panchayataccountable. In the Gram Sabha, people may ask the GP to share details of expenditure

made. As a member of the Gram Sabha, women or any other member should not hesitate to

ask the Gram Panchayat about the expenditure details. A most important activity that we

can take up in this regard, is social audit. We must examine all works through social audit to

see that the works are taken up in an effective way.

With every right, come responsibilities, and therefore Gram Sabha members should also

ensure that they pay the taxes, fees, user charges regularly so that the Gram Panchayat can

function more effectively.

3. Clean Water and Sanitation

Note:While reading this part, the specific challenges in the Gram Panchayat regarding clean water andsanitation may be explained.

We all know the importance of good health. When we are healthy, we can work well, care forour family and have a good life. For children, good health is especially important, to grow

well. But we can become ill because of drinking unclean and un-safe water and open­

defecation, general uncleanliness and un-hygienic habits. Yet, we can also very easily avoid

these problems.

Page 3 of 15

Today, in this Gram Sabha, let us discuss these issues and reinforce our commitment to

make our villages open defecation free and clean, and provide clean drinking water.

Germs reach our body through food, water, unwashed hands and other things that we come

in contact with. Therefore, handwashing before eating, cooking and feeding and after

defecation is critical to that ensure that germs do not enter our body through our hands and

fingers. Keeping our environment clean helps in avoiding mosquitos, flies etc. that carry

germs. We need to ensure that our homes and kitchens are kept clean. Animal sheds need

to be cleaned regularly and every household needs to decide how it will deal with waste

water. For example, waste water may be channelled to the kitchen garden or soak pit/drains.

The human excreta contains a huge number of disease causing pathogens which enter our

bodies through air, flies, hands, animals etc. Therefore, the immediate task for all of us is to

ensure that there is total elimination of open defecation in our Gram Panchayat. Even if one

person or household practices open defecation (even for a single time and including visitors

and migrating population), it is a potential health hazard for all the villagers. We have already

initiated the task of constructing toilets in all households but the task remains incomplete

until each and every household has a toilet. Schools, Anganwadis, public places and public

institutions should also have clean toilets that are easily accessible.

Important as it is, construction of toilets is not the final solution. Toilets must be used by all,

irrespective of age, gender, social and economic status. In some households, toilets are

only used by women and elderly persons. Children are often made to defecate in the open. It

has also been seen that some households use toilets at some time of the year only. Such

partial use of toilets is to be put to an end. In addition to this, we will all have to pledge to

maintain community hygiene by avoiding littering, spitting, open urination, open defecation at

public places like bus stops, offices, schools, community halls, etc.

Each and every household should have access to safe and adequate drinking water.

Drinking poor quality water causes diarrhoeal diseases and diseases such as jaundice and

typhoid. It is important that each household undertake measures such as storing water in a

clean and covered container, extracting water from the pot with a ladle, filtering the water.

Similarly, availability of safe drinking water needs to be ensured in all schools, Anganwadis

and at public institutions.

Whenever poor quality of water or leakage of pipe line comes to notice of any household, it

should immediately bring it to the notice of Gram Panchayat or the concerned committee.

We all need to cooperate with the Gram Panchayat in taking safety precautions such as

ensuring a minimum distance between the toilet and water source, as it is important to

Page 4 of 15

protect the water source from contamination. We will also have to ensure cleanliness of the

platforms of public taps, hand pumps and bore wells. To protect our water sources, we will

have to ensure that all dead animals and birds are safely disposed away from water bodies.

Let us all, also, take a resolution, as parents, to educate our children on the importance of

clean water, hygiene and sanitation.

4. Women's Role in Rural Development

Note:

While reading this part, the activities undertaken by Self Help Groups in the Gram Panchayatmay be highlighted.

Women are half of the population of our country, our State and our Gram Sabha too. They

are the pillars of any society and family. Women work in agriculture, dairy, small businesses,

teaching, government and a host of other areas as well as bringing up children, caring for

the elderly, various household tasks. Women are also Gram Panchayat Pradhans, members

of wards and of various Panchayat committees. Across the country, in Self Help Groups,

women have taken up economic activities. They have increased the earnings of theirfamilies. They have fought against violence and discrimination. Women have shown

leadership in the economic and political spheres. They have been successful in Panchayats,State and National governments.

But do we recognize the importance of women, and do we empower them and respect them

as we should? The law of our country provides women a status equal to men and they havethe right to avail all the opportunities for education, work and leadership. No nation or villagecan develop fully, if its women are not respected and recognised as equal partners indevelopment and do not have access to opportunities just as men do.

From the day a girl child is born, to the day she ages, we need to pay attention to her

physical and emotional health, education, work opportunities. Today, in this Gram Sabha,

let us make a promise to ourselves to not to discriminate against women and girl children, doall that is necessary to ensure their respect, protection and development, and resolve to:

,/ Not indulge in sex selective abortions, and to celebrate the birth of our daughters theway we celebrate for our sons.

,/ Ensure that each and every girl child receives due care, nutrition and immunisation, asper the advice of ASHA, Angawadi Worker, ANM or the doctor.

,/ Send all our girls to schools, give them support and encouragement to complete theirschooling and ensure a safe environment for them in schools and at home.

./' Not marry our daughters before the age of 18 years, since girls till 18 years of age are

not physically and mentally mature to handle responsibilities of family and marriage .

./' Take due care that women in every family receive adequate pre- natal and neo-natal

care, immunisation and nutrition .

../ Raise voice against any violence, abuse or injustice against women and girl children, be

it inside their houses, in their place of work, or anywhere else .

./' Ensure that all women service providers in the Gram Panchayat like the Anganwadi

Worker, Helper, Supervisor, ANM, feel safe and protected .

../ Ensure that elected women representatives are able to participate actively in the Gram

Panchayat and contribute to decision making .

../ Provide an enabling environment for women to participate in Gram Sabha and ensure

that their voices and opinions are given due respect

Let us support the women's Self Help Groups and other women's groups in the Gram

Panchayat area to get actively involved in Gram Panchayat Development Plans and the

developmental activities of the village. Let up make our plans pro-women.

5. Social Inclusion

Note:While reading this part, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, the aged, disabled andother marginalized groups may be encouraged to speak up.

Our Constitution prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of caste, religion,

gender, and other grounds, and makes special provisions, such as reservation, to include

marginalized groups. Yet many people remain disadvantaged or are discriminated against

because of their caste, gender, age, disability or any other ground. Their voice is not heard,and their opportunities for education, healthcare, employment etc. are reduced, because

more powerful people do not allow them to exercise their rights, or they are not aware of

their rights, or are too afraid to exercise their rights.

As we prepare Gram Panchayat Development Plans for our Gram Panchayats, let us

make sure that we pay special attention to the needs of people who are not as well off or as

powerful as others. Let us look at the needs of women, and Scheduled Castes andScheduled Tribes, let us also hear the aged, the disabled children, the very poor and

minorities. Their needs must be reflected in our plans and only then will our plans be truly

participatory.

The government also has several schemes, some of which specially aim at

marginalized groups, while others are more general. In both types of schemes, let us ensure

that these groups are able to get full benefits. Let us also pledge to take special care of the

Page6 of 15

vulnerable people in our Panchayat and hear them in every Gram Sabha. Let us then do allthat we can help them, while giving them all respect.

PART II : IMPORTANT SCHEMES OF GOVERNMENT

1. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (Mahatma GandhiNREGA)

MGNREGA is a rights based programme, in which every household of a rural areahas a right to a job card, and 100days of work in a year. Each member of the householdcan demand work through oral and written applicationsfrom multiple persons such as theGram Rozgar Sahayak, PanchayatSecretary,Ward Panch,Ward Members, mates, SHGsetc. They are entitled to get a dated receiptandworkswill be allocated.

Works are to be openedwithin a radius of 5 km of the Gram Panchayat. If the workis further, then workers are entitled to travel allowancefor the same.Workers have the rightto participate in the planning process for the works to be taken up underMGNREGA.Forthis purpose detailed planning processesare undertakenand a Planning Gram Sabha isheld for prioritisation of works to be undertaken. Workers are entitled to worksitefacilities includingdrinkingwater, creche,shadeand first aid box.

The types of work allowedunder MGNREGAincludepublic works related to naturalresource management and rural infrastructure, particularly water conservation andmanagement. In addition, works can be taken up in individual lands for those who areScheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, nomadic tribes, denotified tribes, families below thepoverty line, women headed households, physically handicapped headed households,beneficiaries of land reforms, beneficiaries of Indira Aawas, and Forest Rights Act. Smalland marginal farmers may also be benefitted with individual works relating to thedevelopmentof land,water and trees.

For the work done, workers will receive the stipulated wage rate paid as per apiece rate system.Workers are entitledto havewages paid directly into the bank accountor post office account of the personwho has worked. In exceptionalcircumstances,wagepaymentsmay be made in cash.

The wage rate under MGNREGA is revised every year based on inflation, i.e.Consumer Price Index - Agricultural Labour. The notified wage rate under MGNREGAisavailablewith the MahatmaGandhi NREGAfunctionaries.The workers may ask and get theinformation.

All the processesand documentsare available in the Gram Panchayatoffice and onthe website (www.nrega.nic.in) for public scrutiny. Workers are entitled to register agrievance related to any aspect of implementation of MGNREGA and receive a datedreceipt and a responsewithin 15 days. Workers are entitled to participate in social auditsthat are conducted twice a year. They are entitled to participate in Social Audit GramSabha where the findings of the social audit are read out and action to be taken isdetermined.

In addition to wage employment and individual assets, MGNREGA workers may availopportunities of skilling for wage employment,for self-employmentand for better livelihood.

Additionally, workers and mates may have the option of being trained as BarefootTechnicians to assist with work measurement.

2. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

The primary objective of PMGSY is to provide single connectivity by way of all­weather roads (with necessary culverts and cross drainage structures) to eligibleunconnected habitations as per 'Core Network'. Core Network is the network of single all­weather roads prepared by the State for each district and approved by the DistrictPanchayat.

Under PMGSY, the unit of the programme is a habitation and not a revenue village orPanchayat. Habitations are defined as habitations with a population of 500 persons (as per2001 Census) and above in plain areas and are eligible under the scheme. In respect of"Special Category States"(North-East, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Uttarakhand), the desertareas, the tribal Schedule-V areas and selected tribal and backward districts, the objective isto connect eligible unconnected habitations with a population of 250 persons and above(Census 2001). In the critical Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected blocks, additionalrelaxation has been given to connect habitations with a population of 100 persons andabove.

3. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM)

The Government has launched National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM),subsequently renamed as Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods.Mission (DAY-NRLM) on 3rd June, 2011. The objective of NRLM is to organize the rural poorwomen into Self Help Groups (SHGs), and continuously nurture and support them till theyattain appreciable increase in incomes over a period of time and improve their quality of lifeand come out of abject poverty. NRLM seeks to reach out to all rural poor women, in aphased manner.

NRLM mobilizes one woman member from each rural poor household into affinity­based women SHGs and federations at village level and at higher levels. These institutionsprovide a close and long term handholding support to each of their members and enablethem to access financial services from banks, diversify and stabilize their livelihoods andeffectively access their entitlements. The objective is to ensure that each family, once theyare in the SHG network for a period of 6 - 8 years, is able to achieve household foodsecurity and have 3 - 4 stabilized livelihoods. A strong convergence with Panchayats is animportant feature of the program.

4. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)

Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) is a placement­linked Skill Development initiative, uniquely aimed at rural youth between the ages of 15 and35 years from poor families. There are 28 crore youth in rural India. If these youth can betrained, then India can become the skill capital of the world as envisioned by the Hon'blePrime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi. This is why we announced DDU-GKY on 25th Sep 2013,the Antyodaya Diwas. Under this initiative, people will be skill trained for a job, in 3, 6, 9 or12 months and at least 70% of all those trained will be placed in jobs, with a salary betweenRs. 6,0001- and Rs. 10,000/- per month.

r"", .. , ")

Under this initiative, some of the best institutions in education and training like DonBosco, Centum Workskills, as well as some of the country's biggest brands like Cafe CoffeeDay, Apollo Hospitals have put up their Training Centres near you. In each of these trainingcentres, you will find modern equipment, new ways to teach and learn and highly qualifiedfaculty. Some of the things you will get are:

Aadhaar Card and Bank Account in your name

Free food and accommodation in residential training centres

Reimbursement of daily travel cost between Rs. 1,000/- to Rs. 1,500/- dependingupon the location of the training centre

Government recognized skill training certificate when you complete the course. Thiscertificate will help you find a suitable job and enable you to grow.

Placement in a reputed company with salary between Rs. 6,000/- and Rs. 10,000/­per month for at least 70% of all those who successfully complete it

Post placement support of Rs. 1,500/- per month for 1 to 2 months for men and Rs.1,500/- per month for 2 to 3 months for women, depending upon place of placement,over and above the salary

But you have an important role to play. You need to be disciplined and attend yourclasses every day. You have to work hard to learn a new skill, complete your studies andpass in every test and examination. And when you are placed in a job, you need to join workand keep working hard. And all this hard work will bring you rewards with the passage oftime, such as send your children to a better schools.

• Free skill training for the entire duration of job-oriented courses

Free uniform, course books, study material and access to a PC with broadbandInternet connection. In most training centres, you will also get to learn from a TabletPC at the center

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

To join training programs under DDU-GKY, you need to contact your Panchayat or themembers and coordinator of recognized SHGs in your village. They will collect some detailsabout you and share it with training centres. From time to time, counsellors and trainers fromthe Training Centres will run mobilization camps in your village to seek out interested andcapable candidates. You can meet them directly as well. Additionally, you can also go to thenearest Training Centre and meet the counsellors there. You can log in towww.ddugky.gov.in and search for your nearest training centre as well and fill a simple formto enrol.

Under this initiative, you will get the opportunity to learn, and your first job. You have tostay committed to achieve your dreams. The Ministry is giving you the opportunity but onlyyou can take advantage of it and change your life. Only you can grow into a betteremployee, a better citizen of this great country and a better human being.

5. NationalSocialAssistanceProgramme(NSAP)

NSAP is a social security/social welfare programme applicable to elederly, widows,disabled persons and bereaved families on death of the primary bread winner. Assistance isprovide to members of families living below poverty who satisfy the eligibility criteria. NSAP

Page9of 15

at present comprises of five sub-schemes namely i.e. Indira Gandhi National Old AgePension Scheme(IGNOAPS),lndira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme(IGNWPS).Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme IGNDPS), National Family BenefitScheme(NFBS) and Annapurna Scheme. The schemes of NSAP are implemented both inurban and rural areas.

Through Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS) assistance ofRs.200 is provided to person of 60 years and above and Rs. 500/- per month to persons of80 years and above. Under Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)Rs. 300/- per month is provided to widows in the age-group of 40-79 years. Under the IndiraGandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) assistance of Rs. 300/- per monthis provided to persons aged 18-79 years with severe and multiple disabilities. A BPLhousehold is entitled to lump sum amount of Rs. 20,000 on the death of primary breadwinneraged between 18 and 59 years under the National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). UnderAnnapurna 10 kg of food grains per month are provided free of cost to those senior citizenswho, though eligible under IGNOAPS, are not receiving old age pension. Many States payamounts over and above Central Government Assistance to beneficiaries with their ownresources.

6. Rural Housing Scheme- "Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana - Gramin"

The rural housing scheme lAY has been the restructured as Pradhan Mantri AwaasYojana - Gramin, in line with the governments stated objective of "Housing for all" by 2022.The new scheme has significant enhancement in the housing assistance and has a newmethod for selection of beneficiaries using Social and Economic Census (SECC). Thesalient features of the new scheme are:

a) Under the schme one crore houses will be constructed in rural areas over the periodof 3 years from 2016-17 to 2018-19.

b) The unit assistance has been increased from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1.20 lakh in plainsand from Rs 75,000 to Rs.1.30 lakh in hilly states, difficult areas and Integrated ActionPlan (lAP) districts.

c) All beneficiaries will be selected using SECC-2011 data.

d) A National Technical Support Agency will be set up at national level to providetechnical support in improving quality of construction and achieving the target setunder the project.

e) Those beneficiaries who opt to avail bank loans will be provided support to obtainloans up to Rs. 70,000. The bank loan and government assistance will be channelledthrough the same bank account.

7. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao(BBBP) Scheme:

The Central Government launched Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) programme onJanuary 22,2016 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (or the number of girls comparedto the number of boys) through a mass campaign and multi-sectoral action in 100 critical

Page10 of 15

districts. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao aims to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination,ensure survival & protection of the girl child, ensure education of the girl child. Special focusbe laid on promoting early registration of pregnancy, institutional delivery and registration ofbirth. EXisting forum of Village Health Sanitation & Nutrition Committee (VHSNC), frontlineworkers (AWWs, ASHAs & ANMs) of Panchayats are to coordinate implementation &monitoring of action plan, service delivery, collecting data, and dissemination of informationon CSR. For awareness generation, Panchayats can arrange community level meetings like- Mahila Mandai, SHG member, Youth groups, Nari ki Chaupal.

8. Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme (SSS)

This .scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on January 22, 2016 as a saving schemetargeted at the parents of girl children. The scheme encourages parents to build a fund forthe future education and marriage expenses for their daughters. The objective of the schemeis to give a message that marriage or education of a girl child is not a financial burden ifparents plan well in advance. Under this scheme, special deposit accounts can be openedfor girls below 10 years. Some of the benefits of these special deposit accounts areguaranteed interest rate higher than other small saving schemes, tax savings, maturityproceeds to be paid to girl child. Panchayats can playa role in awareness generation forthis scheme. Beneficiary can approach any nearest bank to open account under thisscheme.

9. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

Prime Minister launched PMSBY on 9th May 2015. PMSBY is a one year personal accidentinsurance scheme, renewable from year to year, offering coverage for death/disability due toan accident. It is available to people in the age group of 18 to 80 years having a bankaccount, who give their consent to join and enable auto-debit of annual premium of Rs. 12/-.Under the scheme, risk coverage is of Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and permanent totaldisability and Rs. 1 lakh for permanent partial disability. The cover period is 1st June to 31st

May. Initial enrolment period was for 31.05.2015 to 30.11.2015 and is now extended beyond30.11.2015. Simple claim settlement procedure involving minimum documentation is put inplace. The scheme is offered by all public sector general insurance companies.

10. Prime Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

Prime Minister launched PMJJBY on 9th May, 2015. PMJJBY is a one year life insurancescheme, renewable from year to year, offering insurance coverage of Rs. 2 lac for death andis available to people from 18 to 50 years (life cover up to age 55). To benefit from thisscheme, a person must have a bank account and his/her consent to join and enable auto­debit of annual premium of Rs.330. The cover period is 1st June to 31st May. The enrolmentperiod is extended from 31.05.2015 to 31.05.2016. Simple claim settlement procedureinvolving minimum documentation is put in place.

Page 11 of 15

11. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

Prime Minister launched APY on 9th May 2015. APY provides old age income security tocitizens through government guaranteed minimum monthly pension ranging between Rs.1000/- and Rs. 5000/- from 60 years onwards to the subscriber and after him to his/herspouse for life and thereafter, the pension corpus is returned to the nominee. Any citizenbetween the age of 18 and 40 years can join APY through banks and post offices.Panchayats can spread awareness about APY, in consultation with banks and post offices,to maximise coverage.

12. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

Prime Minister launched PMMY on Bth April, 2015. PMMY aims to increase the access tocollateral free finance to unbanked people through three categories of loans viz. Shishu(upto Rs. 50,000/-), Kishore (above Rs. 50,000/- and upto Rs. 5 lakh) and Tarun (above Rs.5 lakh and upto Rs. 10 lakh). Loans can be availed for business activities under Non-FarmSector for manufacturing, processing, trading or service sectors through Banks, MicroFinancial Institutions or Non-Banking Financial Companies. No processing fee is charged bybanks for loans upto Rs. 50,000/-. Borrowers can approach lending institutions likeScheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Scheduled Urban Cooperative Banks,State Cooperative Banks & Micro Finance Institutions.

13. Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

AABY extends life and disability cover to persons between the age of 18 years to 59 years,living below and marginally above the poverty line in 47 identified vocational! occupationalgroups, including rural landless households and to all eligible RSBY beneficiaries. The AABYprovides insurance cover for a sum of Rs. 30,000/- on natural death, Rs. 75,000/- on deathdue to accident, Rs. 37,500/- for partial permanent disability due to accident and Rs.75,000/- for total permanent disability due to accident. It also provides an add-on-benefit ofscholarship of RS.100 per month per child to a maximum of two children from 9th to 1z"class. The total annual premium is Rs. 200/- per beneficiary. The scheme is administeredthrough Life Corporation of India (L1C).

14. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was started by Government of India on 28th

August, 2014 to provide universal and affordable access to banking facilities. Some of thebenefits of accounts opened under PMJDY are interest on deposits, accident insurancecover of Rs. One lakh, no minimum balance required, life insurance cover of Rs.30,OOO/-torbank accounts opened between 15/8/2014 and 31/01/2015, payment of wage and subsidiesunder Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in these accounts. All citizens above the age of 10years can open a bank account in any bank under this scheme.

15. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

The Hon'ble Prime Minister launched a new crop insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri FasalBima Yojana (PMFBY), on 13th January, 2016. The main aim of this new crop insurancescheme is to provide a more efficient insurance support to the farmers of the country and toprovide low premium insurance cover to the farmers. Under this insurance plan, the premium

Page 12 of 15

rate is 2 % for Kharif crops and 1.5% for the Rabi crops. For commercial and horticulturecrops, the premium is 5 %. The scheme will use technology to create a fast, user friendly,efficient and fraud free system.

16. Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) has been formulated with the vision ofextending the coverage of irrigation or 'Har Khet ko pani' and improving water use efficiencyor 'More crop per drop' in a focused manner with end to end solution on source creation,distribution, management, field application and extension activities. The major objective ofPMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level, expandcultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reducewastage of water. Activities under scheme include rain water conservation, construction offarm ponds, water harvesting structures, sma!1 check dams and contour bunding etc.

17. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)

The Central Government launched DDYGJY with the aim of round the clock power to ruralhouseholds & adequate power for agriculture. The scheme has the following components:feeder separation (rural household & agricultural); strengthening and augmentation of sub­transmission and distribution network; metering at all levels (input points, feeders anddistribution transformers); micro grid and off-grid distribution network & Rural electrification.

18. Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural)

Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) was launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister on 2nd October,2014 with the goal to achieve "Swachh Bharat" by 2019. Main objectives set under SBMare to

• Bring about an improvement in the general quality of life in the rural areas, bypromoting cleanliness, hygiene and eliminating open defecation.

• Accelerate sanitation coverage in rural areas to achieve the vision of Swachh Bharatby 2nd October 2019.

• Encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe andsustainable sanitation.

• Develop wherever required, Community managed sanitation systems focusing onscientific Solid & Liquid Waste Management systems for overall cleanliness in therural areas

Major benefits to be drawn from SBM are _• Open defecation free villages.• Improvement and Health and hygiene• Clean Environment

Gram Panchayats have a role as facilitator to motivate people, eliminating open defecation,mobilise community, ensuring sanitation in common and public places and institutions,spreading awareness about health benefits of personal hygiene, resource mobilisation,implementation of the schemes and beneffciary identification under various components ofSBM.

Page13 of 15

19. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been launched by Government of India toprovide universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services to all thepopulation in rural areas of the country. The main components of NRHM are:

• Putting in place, community health workers, namely the Accredited Social HealthActivist (ASHAs) to act as a link between the community and the public healthsystem

• RMNCH+A - Maternal health & Child health - Janani Suraksha Yojani [JSY], JananiShishu Suraksha Karyakram [JSSK], Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karkakram [RBSK] andAdolescent health - Rastriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram [RKSK] & FamilyPlanning

• Universal ImmunizationProgramme - free vaccination for seven vaccine preventablediseases through 90 lakh immunization sessions each year.

• National Disease Control Programme for TB, Leprosy, vector borne diseases such asMalaria, Dengue, Kala Azar etc

• Hospital Management Committees (Rogi Kalyan Samitis) at the facility level at PHCand above and Village Health Nutrition and Sanitation Committees (VHSNCs) at thecommunity level.

• Strengthening of PHC/CHC/DH to IPHS.

VHSNCs are to act as sub-committee or a standing Committee of Panchayat for effectiveimplementation of the NRHM. VHSNCs undertake activities related to sanitation likecleanliness drives, sanitation drives, chlorination of water, repair of water facilities anddrainage system, lead public health activities like householdsurveys, school health activitiesand Information, Education and Communication activities. VHSNCs are also required tomaintain data on status of facilities, a village health register that includes details on allbeneficiaries and record of public services related to health and nutrition. They are alsorequired to inform about their activities and expenditures and regarding creation of facilities,infrastructure, available benefits & names of beneficiaries under the scheme to ensuretransparency and generation of demand for health care services to the Gram Sabha in theirbi-annual meetings and the Gram Panchayat in their quarterly meetings. VHSNC also has amajor role in developing village health plans, ensuring access to health care servicesespecially to the more marginalised sections in the village and in organising the VillageHealth and Nutrition Days etc. Rogi Kalyan Samitis consist of members from Panchayati RajInstitutions (PRls), NGOs, local elected representatives and officials from government sectorwho are responsible for proper functioning and management of the hospital I CommunityHealth Centres/PHCs. Panchayats have the overall supervision of VHNCs and Rogi KalyanSamitis.

20. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is a programme of the Government of India, in partnershipwith the State Governments, for universalizing elementary education. The overall goals ofSSA include universal access and retention, bridging of gender and social category gaps ineducation and enhancement of learning levels of children. SSA provides for a variety ofinterventions, including inter alia, opening of new schools, construction of schools andadditional classrooms, toilets and drinking water, provisioning for teachers, periodic teacher

Page140f15

training and academic resource support, textbooks and support for learning achievement.From the year 2010-11, the scheme is implemented in accordance with the legalframework/provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act,2009, which provides for free and compulsory elementary education of all children betweenthe ages of 6 to 14 years in a neighbourhood school.

21. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY)

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) is a scheme to provide health insurancecoverage to Below Poverty Line (BPL) and 11 other identified categories of UnorganizedWorkers, Sanitation workers, Mine workers, Licensed Railway Porters, Street Vendors,Beedi Workers, Rickshaw Pullers, Rag Pickers and AutolTaxi drivers). The scheme isimplemented by the State Governments through the selected Insurance Companies.

Each family (a unit of five) enrolled in the scheme is entitled to hospitaliation benefitsupto RS.30,000 per annum including maternity benefits on a family floater basis ingovernment empanelled hospitals both private and public. Pre-existing conditions arecovered from day one and there is no age limit. Transportation cost upto RS.100 is alsoprovisioned under the Scheme. A nominal fee of Rs. 301- per family is charged from thebeneficiary family at the time of fresh enrolment into the scheme. All other details areavailable at the official website i.e. www.rsby.gov.in.

22. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme is a flagship scheme of Governmentof India for the holistic development of the children. The beneficiaries of the scheme arebelow six years age children, pregnant and lactating mothers.

The objectives of the Scheme are (i) to improve the nutritional and health status ofchildren in the age-group 0-6 years; (ii) to lay the foundation for proper psychological,physical and social development of the child; (iii) to reduce the incidence of mortality,morbidity, malnutrition and school dropouts; (iv) to achieve effective co-ordination ofpolicy and implementation amongst the various departments to promote childdevelopment; and (v) to enhance the capability of the mothers to look after the normalhealth and nutritional needs of the children through proper nutrition and health education.

Under the scheme, six services are provided, i.e., (i) Supplementary Nutrition; (ii)Pre-school non-formal education; (iii) Nutrition & health education; (iv) Immunization; (v)health check-up; and (vi) referral services. Last three services are provided by the HealthDepartment. The Scheme is self selecting and is open to all the beneficiaries without anypre-condition.

The above services are provided at the Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) by theAWW/AWH/ANM/ASHA.Thereare 141akhAWCs in the country.

Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS is now a legal entitlement under the NationalFoodSecurityAct.

Page 15 of 15