Overview of the Cell
In India, an integrated approach was advocated for a Community Development Programme for the rural populace through Integrated Rural development programme (IRDP) launched in 1978 in selected blocks. This was universalized on 2nd October, 1980. District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) were set up as registered societies to coordinate the implementation of the rural development programmes. Over the years, different self-employment and wage employment schemes as well as minimum needs infrastructure schemes for the households and the community were entrusted to the DRDAs. Sikkim, being a small state, only one state level agency called Sikkim Rural Development Agency was created instead of the DRDAs at each District. The SRDA is established under the Rural Management and Development Department, Government of Sikkim and is headed by the Chairman, who is the ex-officio Secretary of Rural Management and Development department and project Director. The Project Director is assisted by Joint Directors, Project Officers, Asstt. Project Officers, Project Assistant and supporting staff.
In Sikkim, the following programmes were implemented by the Sikkim State Rural Development Agency:
- Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)
- Training of Rural Youth and Self Employment Programme (TRYSEM)
- Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA)
- Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)
Initiatives and Interventions
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was a poverty reduction scheme for the poor in the rural areas. Since 1994 to 31.03.1998, 8165 beneficiaries had been provided subsidies to take up various economic activities for self employment for which Rs.321.36 lakhs had been spent. 1668 beneficiaries had been given training on various trades with the financial expenditure of Rs. 57.97 lakhs. 444 Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) groups were formed from 1994 to 31.03.1998 with a financial assistance of Rs. 67.49 lakhs.
(Amt. Rs in Lacs)
Physical and Financial Achievement under IRDP w.e.f. 1994 to 1998.
| Subsidy given to Beneficiaries under IRDP | Training provided to Youth under TRYSEM | Revolving Fund released to Groups under DWCRA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8165 | 321.36 | 1668 | 57.97 | 444 | 67.49 |
Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development of India with effect from 1.4.1999 by restructuring earlier programmes, namely Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), Training for Rural Youth and Self Employment Programme (TRYSEM) and development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA). In the SGSY program various activities such as formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs), Credit-cum-subsidies Scheme, Creation of Infrastructure for Marketing, Capacity Building and Skill Development etc, were taken up.