2014 - 2015

Annual Report

SIPRD Assam

2014-15

CONTENTS

1. State Institute of Rural Development – background.

2. Training network.

3. Progress and performance of training and research.

4. Capacity building and training for elected representatives of PRIs.

5. Research Studies.

6. Skill development for income generation and livelihood promotion and for providing self employment.

7. Satellite communication system for education and training.

8. Social audit.

9. Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana.

10. Joint Effort with Oil India Ltd.

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Status of the Institute at the early stage

Status of the SIRD in present stage

Way back in 1981, Department of Panchayat & Rural Development,

Government of Assam established State Institute of Rural Development, Assam at Borsojai area in the outskirts of Guwahati. It remained as a part of the Directorate of Panchayat & Rural Development and remained almost dormant because of

Now, the institute has two full fledged campuses at Guwahati having

capacity to organise training programmes simultaneously for about 600 participants. To decentralise the training process and make it more accessible to the rural people, altogether 31 centres have been set up. 12 Extension Training Centres, 7 Extension Training cum Resource

difficult accessibility, poor infrastructural facilities. In 1987, the institute came under Central scheme. As per the guidelines of Government of India 1994, Government of Assam took initiative to declare the institute as an autonomous institute of training and research in the broad field of rural development and panchayati raj.

Centres, 10 Handloom Production cum Skill Development Centres have been functioning in different zones of the state. All these centres have been equipped with all the modern facilities required for meaningful running of the training programmes. Satellite Communication Network has been developed with on State Hub at Kahikuchi and 16 Satellite

CHAPTER 1

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Multifarious activities of the institute

SIRD, Assam became the first institute in the country to have taken up

special projects for providing self employment avenues to rural youth and also to promote livelihood among farmers, weavers, youth and artisans. Government of India, State Government entrusted the responsibilities of implementing special projects to the institute. Large number of youth, farmers, artisans, weavers have got assistance in terms of bank loan, government subsidy etc. Around 2.00 lakhs families have received the benefit under these projects. The institute has been able to manage Rs. 475.00 crores of bank loan for the groups supported by government subsidy. A separate wing of the institute called Resource Centre in IT & Skill Development have been set up and

Interactive Terminals at 16 places. This has made training more accessible to rural functionaries and the people at grass root level. Because of this development, the institute can now organise a huge number of training courses every year covering more than 1.00 lakh participants belonging to different clientele groups.

functioning very well to provide technical skill through various kinds of training programmes to the above clientele groups. These activities of the institute have made the institute a household name among the villagers of the state. Impact of the efforts are very much visible in the field. The Government of India in one of its colloquium organised by NIRD recognised SIRD, Assam as Centre of Excellence in Employment Generation. In fact, it was the Lab to Land initiative undertaking by the institute way back in 1999.

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Vision

Objectives

Concerted efforts are on to make SIRD, Assam as a best training institute

in the country in the broad field of rural development and Panchayati Raj. The institute has now attained the status of a pioneer institute in the country. The Government of India in various forms has highlighted SIRD, Assam as one of the best

• Thrust on rural development programmes to achieve the primary mandate.

• To organise diversified courses on Panchayati Raj and decentralised planning.

• To organise need based training programmes for different clientele groups in the changing development scenario.

• Continuous effort to improve the quality in its training and research activities.

• Collaborative effort with specialised institutes for academic support, specialised training and exposure.

• Social mobilisation through awareness generation.

• Undertaking micro projects as entrusted by government in clusters to try out new initiatives.

• Building technical and managerial capacity among the youth.

• IT related training programmes.

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Thrust areas and clientele groups for various training and capacity building programmes of SIRD.

• All rural development flagship programmes for officials working at state, district, block and panchayat levels.

• Subject specific rounds on panchayati raj and decentralised development for elected representatives of panchayats belonging to three tiers.

• Officials belonging to line departments on panchayati raj and decentralised planning.

• Skill development training programmes for income generation, livelihood promotion and providing self employment avenues for youth, farmers, weavers, artisans etc.

• IT related training programmes for officials and other functionaries including application of software like PRIASOFT, PLANPLUS, MIS etc.

• Computer literacy programmes for elected representatives and grass root level functionaries.

• Capacity building of different stakeholders like representatives of NGOs, CBOs, social workers, facilitators, animators etc.

• General masses for awareness programmes in selected pockets.

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TRAINING NETWORK

SIRD, Assam has adopted a decentralised approach for organising various courses for the PRIs. For better outreach of the training programmes, the institute have

developed altogether 31 centres. The institute has developed two full-fledged campus in Guwahati one at Khanapara and another at Kahikuchi. Two campuses at the HQs can organise 10 training programmes simultaneously covering atleast 300 participants.

12 Extension Training Centres have been running under SIRD in different zones of the state. Each centre covers two to three districts. Each Extension Training Centre can conduct two training programmes simultaneously covering 100 participants. Physical infrastructure and other support services have already been created. At present 31 centres have been functioning at State, District and Sub District level.

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Through these centres, institute has regularly been organising large number of training programmes for different clientele groups on various subjects. They are as follows:

SIRD, HQsKhanapara

Resource Centre in IT & Skill Development, Kahikuchi set up with support from MoPR

Extension Training Centres

Extension Training cum Resource Centres set up under BRGF

Women EmpowermentProduction cum Skill Development Training Centres on Handloom

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Training through satellite communication

Satellite based training system

of SIRD, Assam has been functioning with one satellite hub and 16 SITs. The system has been set up and functioning with technical guidance from ISRO and North Eastern Space Application Centre. It is a both ways system through which trainees can put questions to the resource persons sitting in the Satellite Hub. Replies/interactions can be seen and heard by all SITs. 800 participants can be covered simultaneously through 16 SITs. Solve the problem of non availability of resource persons in remote Extension Training Centres of SIRD. The institute has been able to monitor the ongoing programmes through interactive sessions and online valedictory sessions. A system developed under BRGF.

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Linkages with specialised institutes outside the state

The SIRD has also established linkages with specialised institutes and universities situated in different parts of the country for organising specialised training programmes and exposure visits for officials, elected representatives of PRIs, entrepreneurs, farmers, weavers, etc. The selected specialised institutes organised regular courses on skill development for entrepreneurs, farmers and weavers deputed by SIRD, Assam.

Besides the above centres, another 10 District Panchayat Resource Centres and 30 Block Level Panchayat Resource Centres will setup under RGPSA & BRGF to outreach the training programmes in nooks and corners of the state. The SIRD has identified the locations for setting up of these centres.

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PROGRESS AND PERFORMANCE ON TRAINING AND RESEARCH

The SIRD, Assam has given special thrust on building the capacity of the elected representatives of PRIs, functionaries / officials of Rural Development, Panchayati

Raj, Line Departments working at different levels, representatives of NGOs, CBOs, Social Activists, Rtd. Teachers, other stakeholders. on various aspects on planning and implementation of rural development programmes, maintenance of accounts, use of softwares, etc. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute conducted 2383 courses covering 134985 persons in different training programmes and awareness generation programmes.

Training programmes under MGNREGA

The SIRD has regularly been organising training programmes on various aspects on planning and implementation of MGNREGA. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute organised 69 courses covering 2212 participants comprising State, District & Block level officials, elected representatives of PRIs and engaged persons. Since the introduction of new operational guidelines under MGNREGA (4th Edition), SIRD has been organising training programmes by forming Resource Team of Trainers at State, District & Block level.

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With the help of the State Resource Team, the SIRD has been conducting training programmes for District & Block Resource Teams. SIRD attached a District Resource Team to 12 Extension Training Centres to impart training to the members of Block Resource Teams.

The institute has also been organising training programmes for some of the members of the Block Resource Teams at the state level for proper orientation,

remaining members of the Block Resource Teams are being imparted training at the Extension Training Centres.

The Extension Training Centres have also been organising training programmes for grass root level functionaries with the help of District and Block Resource Team. The institute has organised large number of courses on Intensive P a r t i c i p a t o r y Planning Exercise (IPPE) for the District and Block Resource Teams as well as PMRDFs. The SIRD has also organised ToT on IPPE with Resource Persons support from Ministry of Rural Development, NIRD, Hyderabad. During the year 2014 – 15, the institute organised 6 (six) ToT programmes on IPPE and imparted training to 276 State, district and block Resource Persons. Thrust has also been given build the capacity of the functionaries on MIS, E-fms, MMS, preparation of labour budget.

Training programmes under NRLM

Since inception, the SIRD, Assam has been regularly organising various training programmes under NRLM for different stakeholders. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute organised one round of training programmes for the professionals and officials of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission Society on maintenance of accounts and office procedure. The institute also organised induction courses for the professionals and staff of the ASRLMS. Besides these training programmes, the institute organised training programmes for the CRPs, Para Professionals on various

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subjects like management of SHGs, book keeping, promotion of livelihoods of SHGs through income generating activities in association with specialised institutes like Assam Agriculture University, its colleges, College of Veterinary Science. Besides, the above courses, the institute organise ToT – II under NRLM sponsored by NIRD, Hyderabad for the District & Block Resource Persons.

Training under IAY

SIRD has organized training programmes to streamline the implementation under IAY. Participants were officials, elected representatives from block and Gram Panchayat level. Following subjects have been discussed during the two day programmes organized in different parts of the state.

• Housing problem in the state.• Planning and implementation of housing scheme along with habitation development.• Basic concept and objectives of IAY and Bharat Nirman.• Technical and administrative norms in the implementation of IAY – role of PRIs and

Gram Sabhas.• Use of local technologies and low cost materials in the construction of rural houses.• Convergence of services like drinking water, sanitation, electricity, fuel etc.• Provisions for weaker sections, women etc.

Training on social audit

As entrusted by the State Government, the SIRD, Assam has undertaken social audit of rural development programmes being implemented by the Gram Panchayats & Development Blocks. Under the programme, the institute developed more than 10000 social auditors, Block Resource persons for smooth conduct of social audit.

All the Social Auditors and District and Block Resource Persons developed for smooth conduct of social audit have been imparted intensive training programmes. The training programmes have been organised in a decentralised way through Extension Training Centres. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute has imparted training to 15468 persons in 352 programmes. Details report is in a separate Chapter.

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Training programme under Sansaad Adarsh Gram Yojana

The SIRD, Assam has organised ToT programmes on development of village plan under Sansaad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) for the Charge Officers and Nodal Officer. The institute has also organised regional level ToT programmes for the State Team of Trainers, Charge Officers under SAGY in association with NIRD & PR, Hyderabad. During the year the institute deputed Faculty Members to attend the ToT programmes organised by the NIRD & PR, Hyderabad and they have in turn organising training programmes in SIRD as well as in the Extension Centres.

Training programmes for the PMRDFs

The Government of India, Ministry of Rural Development have deputed 16 Pradhan Mantri Rural Development Fellows in the state of Assam for field immersion. On being deputed to Assam and before placing to the concerned district / block, the PMRDFs have undergone three days orientation training in SIRD, Assam. The PMRDFs have been

oriented on various rural development programmes and in turn placed to the concerned districts. District authorities are also deputing these fellows to the various training programmes organised by SIRD as Resource Persons / Master Trainers, which they in turn organising training programmes at district level. The SIRD, Assam has involved these Fellows

in the social audit process recently undertaken by the institute as well as various training programmes being organised by the institute in the field. The State Government has also entrusted the responsibility to the SIRD, Assam to monitor the activities being undertaken by the PMRDFs.

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Capacity building and Training for the elected representatives of PRIs.The SIRD, Assam has been regularly organising series of courses covering various subjects for elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs. Comprehensive plan, annual action plans have been prepared and various other strategies have been adopted time to time by the institute to make the training programmes for the elected representatives and other functionaries meaningful. Broad initiatives taken covering different areas can be summed up as follows:

1. Decentralised approach in organising the training programmes for better outreach.

2. Training plan for subjects specific rounds.

3. Preparation of need based handbooks and guide books for the elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs.

4. Training through satellite communication.

5. Awareness generation for meaningful participation in Gram Sabhas.

6. Training on livelihood promotion for elected representatives of PRIs – a collaborative effort with Assam Agriculture University / Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

7. Exposure visits outside the state for elected representatives of PRIs, through networking and partnership with specialised institutes.

8. Training programmes for agriculture extension workers, barefoot engineers, women activists / social activists etc. under BRGF – tie up with Assam

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Agriculture University, its colleges, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other organisations.

9. Development of Trainers Team and their ToT.

10. Preparation of District Vision Document and Integrated District Plan through training and action research.

11. Action research under BRGF in collaboration with Assam Agriculture University.

12. Implementation of Panchayat Empowerment Accountability Incentive

Scheme by SIRD, Assam as a learning process for the elected representatives and other functionaries of PRIs.

13. Special effort on computer literacy for elected representatives of PRIs and E-learning of functionaries.

14. Special training under Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan.

15. Monitoring of outcome, impact studies on capacity building and action research in the field under RGSY & BRGF – an alternative way of training need assessment.

Training for the elected representatives of PRIs

The SIRD has organised subject specific rounds of training programmes for the Chairpersons and Members of three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute organised 362 programmes covering 15023 persons on different training programmes like planning and implementation of permissible works under MGNREGA, village development plan, sanitation, swaach bharat, maintenance of accounts and resource mobilisation, planning and implementation of flagship programmes. c. Case studies prepared on initiatives taken by SIRD, Assam for

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Strengthening Panchayati Raj system in the stateThe SIRD has prepared 15 case studies on the initiatives taken on the above mentioned areas for strengthening Panchayati Raj system in the state and presented in a national workshop held in Hyderabad organised the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in the month of September’ 2013.

Strengthening the accounting and audit system of the panchayats

The SIRD has been organising series of training programmes on streamlining accounting system in the Panchayati Raj Institutions. The department gave special emphasis on organising training programmes on accounts for officials and staff of the Panchayati Raj Institutions. The SIRD made an arrangement with the Principal Accountant General, Assam for organising series of training programmes for the Secretaries of Gram Panchayats and accountants of Zilla Parishads and Anchalik Panchayats. The Principal Accountant General deputed selected

officials as Resource Persons to SIRD for organising training programmes on accounting and audit. Special emphasis was given on model accounting system developed by C & AG. The SIRD has continued the process and organises the training programmes in a decentralised manner through its Extension Training Centres. The institute has been organising refresher courses also on various topics related to accounting and audit for the Secretaries of Gram panchayats and other accounts staff of the Anchalik Panchayats and Zilla Parishads.

ToT on PRIASOFT

The SIRD has organised ToT on PRIASOFT for selected trainers deputed by Zilla Parishads including Chartered Accountants. The objective was to

help the Zilla Parishads to organise training programmes on PRIAsoft for the Secretaries of Gram Panchayats and other accounts staff of the PRIs.

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Promotion of Panchayat Mahila evan Yuva Shakti Abhiyan

The SIRD has been organising special courses on women empowerment and development of youth under Mahila Evan Yuva Shakti Abhiyan. Besides these training programmes, the institute has been organising Sanmilan for elected women representatives to sensitise and orient them to their roles for development of women and children in the rural areas. A joint effort has been started with UNICEF to organise

training programmes on women empowerment for the elected women representatives of PRIs. The institute has already imparted training to more than 50% of women elected representatives of PRIs in a decentralised manner through Extension Training Centres.

Preparation of operational guidelines to enable Gram Panchayats, Anchalik Panchayats and Zilla Parishads to prepare development plan

The SIRD prepared the operational guidelines to enable Gram Panchayats, Anchalik Panchayats and Zilla Parishads to prepare development plans. The guidelines have been prepared on the basis of the guidelines and manuals issued by the Planning Commission on preparation of Integrated District Plan. Government of Assam, Department of P & RD notified the guidelines vide Notification No. PDA.135/2008/5 dated 7th June’ 2010. The SIRD prepared books on assamese and English on preparation of plans by Gram Panchayats, Anchalik Panchayats and district panchayats for easy understanding of elected representatives and grass root level functionaries of PRIs.

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Training programme on decentralised planning

The SIRD has been organising the training programmes for the elected representatives of PRIs belonging to all the three tiers. Special emphasis has been given on the following aspects during the training programmes.

• Preparation of district vision document.• Creation of data base for planning by

the panchayats.• Interdepartmental coordination and

convergence.• Activating the district planning

committees for integration and consolidation of plans.

• Adaptation of participatory tools and techniques for bottom up planning.

• Organisation of gram sabhas for meaningful participation in planning.

Preparation of vision document and integrated district plan by SIRDTo institutionalise the planning process, the SIRD prepared vision document and integrated district plan in Dibrugarh and Jorhat districts involving Gram Sabhas and Panchayati Raj Institutions. The objective is to create a modal plan prepared in a participatory manner for replication by other districts. The SIRD has also started the process for preparation of integrated holistic district plan for Morigaon district. The institute has already organised workshops for all the stakeholders.

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Study on outcome of the grants devolved to the districts under BRGF

Training on IT & e-governance

The SIRD in association with Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change & Development has been studying the outcome and impact of the grants released to the Zilla Parishads in BRGF districts of the state. The study covers

The SIRD has set up Resource Centre in IT & Skill Development in Kahikuchi. Besides this centre, 12 computer training centres have been functioning in the Extension Training Centres of SIRD. Another computer lab has also been functioning in the Khanapara HQs of SIRD. All these 14 computer training centres organise training programmes on computer application in office management particularly use of softwares

and tools like PLANPLUS, PRIASOFT, MIS etc. The institute through its ETCs has also been organising computer literacy training programmes for the elected representatives and grass root level functionaries of PRIs. Unemployed youth have also been imparted training in these centres to facilitate computer learning at the grass root level. Faculty Members have been deputed to organise the training programmes in the Gram Panchayat offices itself so that more elected representatives can be covered.

The institute organises ToT on Panchayat Enterprise Suit for the District Programme Managers, Addl. District Programme Managers and other technical staff of Zilla Parishads to facilitate application of these tools and softwares in the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Computer literacy programmes for the elected representatives of PRIs

Besides organising the training programmes on the above subjects, the institute has organising training programmes on computer literacy for the elected representatives

the planning process, identification of critical gaps, infrastructure created to fill up the critical gaps and overall impact of the assets created in removing backwardness in different pockets. The process is continuing.

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of PRIs in the Gram Panchayat level itself. The institute has made an arrangements to impart the computer literacy programmes in the Gram Panchayat itself so that more elected representatives of PRIs can be imparted training on computer literacy. For this, the institute has set up mobile computer training facilities like Laptop, dungal for internet connectivity etc. The Faculty Members of the SIRD as well as Extension Centres have been

deputed to the field for organising this training programme. Each day Faculty Members are now able to cover two Gram Panchayats or two batch i.e. one batch are getting training on 3 hrs duration per day. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute has imparted training to 1945 elected representatives in 114 courses. Each participants is imparted training for 30 hours.

Responsibility given to SIRD, Assam by Ministry of Panchayati Raj

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India has developed a new framework / guidelines on capacity building of elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs. The Ministry given the responsibility of drafting one of the five chapters of the guidelines to SIRD, Assam. The SIRD has prepared one chapter which has been incorporated the National Capacity Building guidelines.

Engagement of Accountant cum Computer Operators

State Government has given the responsibility to engage the Accountant cum Computer Operators in the 2202 Gram Panchayats under RGPSA. The institute has conducted the interview for selection of these Accountant cum Computer Operators under RGPSA. The institute engaged 2100 Accountant cum Computer Operators and placed them in the Gram Panchayats.

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Orientation training programmes

The institute has organised orientation of 4 days duration for all the newly engaged Accountant cum Computer Operators. The training has been organised in a decentralised manner through Extension Centres. One round of orientation training has already been organised by the institute covering all the Accountant cum Computer Operators. Second round of training on PRIASOFT, softwares have also been started by the institute.

Creating competition among the panchayats by identifying and awarding best performing panchayats and by organising special training programmes for ‘onwatch’ panchayats

For the last three years the SIRD, Assam has been assessing the performance of panchayats under Panchayat Empowerment Accountability Incentive Scheme (now known as Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashakstikaran Puraskar). The institute has developed questionnaires, indicators and self marking system in prescribed proformas for the all the three tiers of panchayats in the state. Every year these proformas are distributed to Zilla Parishads, Anchalik Panchayats & Gram Panchayats for assessing their performance through self marking. Every year best performing 1 Zilla Parishads, 2 Anchalik Panchayats & 5 Gram Panchayats are selected and recommended to Government of India through State Government for giving award and incentive. An elaborate system has been developed for the selection of 8 panchayats for which guidelines have also been developed (guidelines enclosed herewith). So far, 29 (twenty nine) panchayats have received award under Panchayat Sashakstikar Puraskar.

The institute has made it a part of the entire training process and laid emphasis on organising intensive training programmes for the weak panchayats.

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Thrust areas for ongoing training programmes

The institute has given special thrust on the following subjects under the ongoing training programmes for the elected representatives of PRIs and other functionaries.

• Preparation of integrated district / village plan.

• Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.• Sanitation.• Women empowerment through

Panchayati Raj.• Social mobilisation and meaningful

participation in Gram Sabhas.

• Social audit through Gram Sabhas.• Resource mobilisation, budget

preparation and maintenance of accounts in PRIs.

• Application of Panchayat Enterprise Suit in panchayats.

• Computer literacy programmes for elected representatives of PRIs.

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ToT on sanitation

Government of India, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has given thrust to develop a team of trainers, Resource Persons for state, district and block level on sanitation. The institute has organised series of ToT on Sanitation for the Faculty Members, State & District Resource Persons by taking help from Ministry of Panchayati Raj for providing support of Resource Persons. National level Resource Persons have taken sessions in the ToT programmes. After attending the ToT programme, the Faculty Members and Resource Persons in turn organising training programmes on sanitation for the elected representatives of PRIs as well as other stakeholders.

Awareness programmes

The institute organises sensitisation programmes for different stakeholders in the field for meaningful participatory planning through Gram Sabhas. The institute organised large number of awareness generation camps / sensitisation camps in the remote villages in the state. Various topics on local issues, disaster preparedness, sanitation, hygiene, health, preparation of village plan, role of gram sabha in the

preparation of development plans, various flagship programmes have been covered in the awareness generation camps. The institute also organises awareness programmes on different sectoral programmes.

Translation of books

As instructed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, the institute has translated into assamese all the subject specific modules and materials, panchayat active series developed by Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The institute has also translated the active series on sanitation developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

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STATEMENT SHOWING TRAINING PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY SIRD, ASSAM DURING 2014 - 2015

Sl. No. Name of the Programmes

Level of participants

Number of courses conducted

No. of participants

1 Elected representatives of PRIs under RGPSA/BRGFa Panchayati Raj,

decentralised planning, planning and implementation of RD Programmes, women empowerment & child development, sanitation

Elected representatives of PRIs

362 15023

b Decentralised planning, preparation of village development plans, sanitation, social audit, maintenance of accounts, softwares etc.

Functionaries of PR & Line Departments

96 3912

c. Computer literacy Elected representatives of PRIs

114 1945

d. Social audit of RD Programmes

Resource Persons, Master Trainers, Faculties, Functionaries, Elected representatives of PRIs

352 15468

e. Strengthening of Gram Sabha through social mobilisation process

Rtd. Teachers, Social Activists, representatives of NGOs, CBOs etc.

23 1153

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STATEMENT SHOWING TRAINING PROGRAMMES CONDUCTED BY SIRD, ASSAM DURING 2014 - 2015

Sl. No. Name of the Programmes

Level of participants

Number of courses conducted

No. of participants

f. Peoples participation in planning process through strengthening of Gram Sabha under RGPSA

Members of Gram Sabha

791 76205

Sub total 1738 1137062 MG National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act.

Officials, elected representatives on MIS, Planning & Implementation

69 2212

3 Lab to Land Initiative

Bharat Nirman Volunteers

45 3410

4 National Rural Livelihood Mission

Workshop on NRLM

14 519

Sub total of Mandatory programmes 1866 1198475 ICT skills Entrepreneurs,

youth67 692

6 Livelihoods Management & Skill development

441 14230

7 Exposure and special training outside the state

Weavers 9 216

Total 2383 134985

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Research StudiesThe institute regularly organising various research studies on various subjects / issues. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute undertaken following research studies on various subjects:

• Monitoring of outcome under BRGF.• Preparation of Integrated Holistic

district plan.• Action Research project on key

economic activities in association with Assam Agricultural University for 11 backward districts (Shital Pati, Fishery, Banana, Poultry, Fishery, Muga cocoon production, Pig rearing, Eri, Orange, Poultry cum piggery).

• Impact study of the special project for Rearing Chara Chamballi ducks for Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Assam.

• “Strengthening of Administrative Mechanism – (1) the need of Rural Administrative Service and (2) Rural Subordinate Service” for Panchayat & Rural Development Department.

• Third party intensive study on self employment projects.

Monitoring of outcome of BRGF

The SIRD in association with Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Socian Change & Development an autonomous research institute of social science research with a research mandate covering all eight states of the North Eastern States has undertaken research study on monitoring of outcome of BRGF grant released to the 11 districts of the state as well as capacity

building grant to the SIRD. The study review mainly focuses on management or utilisation of fund released to each district, the planning process and overall efficacy of the programme in bridging the critical gap besides other critical dimensions. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. The responses of PRIs/ULBs are captured

CHAPTER 5

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Action Research project on key economic activities in association with Assam Agricultural University

Impact study of the special project for Rearing Chara Chamballi ducks for Economic Empowerment of Rural Women in Assam

through a structured questionnaire. The outcome of BRGF programme has been assessed through the evaluation based on physical verification of the implemented works by different stakeholders. In each district, maximum ten works implemented with BRGF have been identified at random for evaluation and physical verification. In addition, the assessment of the capacity building framework has been done through pre-designed Focus Group Discussion in each of BRGF beneficiary districts of the state.

The e-based learning through Satellite training facilities discussion with resource persons across the nation, sharing of good practices and distant learning. All the PRI and UBL representatives appreciated this particular intervention of SIRD, Assam. The evaluation of the capacity building support showed that the subject covered, session plan and instructor for the training sessions were mostly good as rated by the sample stakeholders, while the session time allotment was not very sufficient.

Under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) Programme ‘The Action Research Programme on selected income generating activities have been taken up in association with Assam Agricultural University in the BRGF districts of the state. Assam Agriculture University has undertaken the study through the concerned Krishi Vigyan Kendras of the district. Krishi Vigyan Kendras are undertook the particular activity in their respective district and findings of the study are being submitted shortly by the University.

Dr. A. Jalaludeen, Special Officer, College of Avian Sciences and Management, Faculty of Poultry Science, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Thiruvazhamkunnu, Kerala has undertaken an impact study on the special project for rearing of Chara Chamballi duck for economic empowerment of rural women in Assam. Summary of the study as highlighted by Dr. Jalaludeen is as follows:

“It is difficult to draw any conclusions on a project related to livestock, but it is very clear that social transformation is taking place gradually among the rural women in Assam. The project has created power and confidence within the members, so that they can reduce poverty and

change their situation. Whatever be the intrastate cultural differences, the overall impact of the project is very much visible and encouraging and has been a demand driven one with active and coluntary participation of the people involved.

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The unique nature of the project is that the members of the SHGs are maintaining the Chara and Chemballi duck flock at household levels. The SHGs are expanding the activity with the help of a bank loan with government assisted subsidies, which the members are managing to repay. Lastly, the formation of SHGs among the women members of the villages has drastically transformed lives and relationships, as the quality of the life of the people is better. But there is a need for systematic and pragmatic approaches in defining the importance of sustainability of the ongoing activity.

The special project on “rearing of Chara and Chemballi ducks for economic empowerment of rural women in Assam”

implemented by the SIRD, Assam helped the rural women to transform their economic condition by enhancing their household income. Besides improving the income by self employment, the project was successful in empowering rural women economically, technologically, psychologically and socially. The roaring success achieved through the project attracted the attention of many dignitaries including the former President, His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. This is evident from the Prisident’s visit to Gumoria cluster on 17th October’ 20-06 and after his visit to the village, the President referred to the effort of Assam Government for economic empowerment of rural women through duck rearing in national conferences.

“Strengthening of Administrative Mechanism – (1) the need of Rural Administrative Service and (2) Rural Subordinate Service” for Panchayat & Rural Development Department

Third party intensive study on self employment projects

The study aimed of strengthening of administrative mechanism. For this purpose issues related to Rural Administrative Service as well as Rural Subordinate Service have been examined with emphasis upon existing organisational structure, both positional and functional. For implementation of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994 and the Rules frames under it, Rural Administrative

The institute by involving the third party undertaken intensive field monitoring of the Joint Liability Groups developed and assisted under the special project of Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana. Each and every group have been

Service would be considered along with the Panchayati Raj Institutions with a view to achieve the goal of the Panchayat & Rural Development Department, Government of Assam. Thus the recommendations have been made for strengthening present administrative mechanism, its effectiveness and probable necessity in near future.

monitored to evaluate the status of the groups, sustainability of the activities, present status, income level, role of banks for providing credit support, training etc. It has been found that more than 70% of the groups are functioning well.

27

The SIRD, Assam has been organising a large number of skill development training programmes on different activities for providing self employment avenues for unemployed youth, farmers, weavers, artisans, entrepreneurs etc. Special thrust has also been given on upgrading the skill in traditional activities of the state for income generation and livelihood promotion.

As already mentioned, the SIRD has been organising skill development training programmes for youth, artisans, women and farmers under its special projects. Recently, the institute has taken up some new activities for development and upscaling skill level of youth, entrepreneurs, farmers and women through intensive training programmes in its Resource Centre in IT & Skill Development at Kahikuchi in association with specialised institutes. The new activities are as follows:

Skill development for income generation, livelihood promotion and for providing self employment avenues

1. For women – i) beautician, ii) pattern making, iii) textile design iv) handloom product diversification, v) autocad

2. Construction related for youth.:• Masonry, form carpentry and bar-

bending. • Electrical house wiring.• Plumbing and sanitation.• Fabrication works, • Painting works.

3. Driving.

4. Repairing and maintenance of agricultural implements.

5. Household implements.6. Mobile repairing.7. Bamboo & wood craft. 8. Financial management.9. ICT, Computer literacy, MIS, PRIASOFT

& others.10. Orchid cultivation.11. Carpentry.12. Scientific farm management in

agriculture and allied activities.

Duration of the training programmes varies from 21 days to 90 days.

CHAPTER 6

28

Centres for skill developmentBesides the skill development training facilities in SIRD, HQ, the institute has set up 2 (two) skill development training centres in Nagaon and Jorhat district. The centres have now been able to organise skill development training on computer application, bamboo and wood craft, beautician, etc. in a more meaningful manner. With these centres, the institute has been organising regular courses on the subjects for the interested youth, students, women etc. The institute has also equipped the Extension Centres for organising skill development training programmes so that more participants can be covered under the skill development programmes. The institute also making necessary arrangements with some specialised institutes for skill development and placement.

29

Following is the progress made during 2014 – 2015 for skill development training:

Sl. No. Name of the Programmes Level of participants

Number of courses conducted

No. of participants

1 ICT skills Entrepreneurs, youth 67 6922 Livelihoods Management

development145 5522

Skill development training on agriculture

87 3309

Animal Husbandry & Veterinary

47 1467

Skill development on power tools, electrical, mason, bamboo, wood, handicrafts, mobile repairing

107 2415

Skill development training on handloom

55 1517

3 Exposure and special training outside the state

Weavers 9 216

Total 517 15138

30

Satellite Communication System for Education and Training (EDUSAT)Interactive Satellite based training uses a dedicated satellite channel (provided by the ISRO) for beaming programmes to specified centers for being viewed by trainees/students. Each reception centre is also equipped with a talk back facility which enables trainees to ask questions to resource persons located at the central studio. Replies given by such studio based resource persons can be heard over by all the SITs covering the entire network. Large numbers of trainees/students can be rapidly and effectively covered through this composite approach. ISRO has also allotted 18 SITs to the Education Department, Govt. of Assam and these have been installed in DIETs.

In the above background, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has assisted and given responsibility for setting up of the Satellite Hub and 16 Satellite Interactive Terminals in different parts of the state. DECU, ISRO, Ahmedabad and North Eastern Space Application Centre, Shillong have played a crucial role in setting up of satellite hub and 15 Satellite Interactive Terminals. The SIRD has set up Satellite Hub at Kahikuchi and 15 Satellite Interactive Terminals at different districts. Initially DECU, Ahmedabad has provided the technical support for the system and ISRO has given satellite space. Now, DECU has entrusted the responsibility to NESAC to provide all the technical support for maintenance of the Satellite Communication System of the institute.

Interaction at a time with 500 – 600 newly elected representatives sitting in remote corners of the state for nearly 2 months has become an interesting addition to the entire training process for the elected representatives of PRIs.

The SIRD started the second round of orientation training programmes ( 5 days duration) for all the elected representatives who have attended the day long sensitisation training programmes conducted by the SIRD through its satellite based training system. On the very first day of this 5 days training programmes (second round) the SIRD could found through interactions with the participants that the satellite based day long sensitisation programmes had already created an impact among the participants.

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31

During the year 2012 – 2013, the institute has covered 3165 participants in the training programmes through Satellite Communication Network. After the last panchayat elections, the institute has been able to organise one round of day long interactive courses for the newly elected representatives of Panchayats. Within 56 days, the institute has imparted training to

more than 18000 elected representatives through 13 SITs. During the year 2013 – 2014, altogether 22027 participants have been covered in the training programmes through the Satellite Communication Network. During the year 2014 – 2015, the institute availing the Satellite Communication Network for taking sessions in the various courses organised by the Extension Centres.

Impact1. The SIRD, Assam has been able to

cover large number of participants within a short span of time.

2. Being a both-way video conferencing system, training through satellite based system is as good as face to face training programme.

3. Each lesson is followed by interactive session taking one receiving station at a time. Remaining receiving stations can liaison the interactions going between the SIRD’s hub and particular receiving station.

4. The satellite based training system has solved the problem of non

availability of resource persons in certain selected subjects / topics. As classes can be taken from Guwahati either by the Faculty Member of SIRD or invited experts.

5. Through the satellite based training system, the SIRD can supervise and monitor the ongoing training programmes going on simultaneously in different Extension Training Centres. For this purpose, the SIRD conducts online valedictory session of all the ongoing training programmes in the Extension Training Centres.

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Social AuditDepartment of Panchayat & Rural Development, Government of Assam planned to undertake social audit of all the rural development programmes implemented during 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015 in all the districts of the state and entrusted the responsibility to State Institute of Rural Development, Assam. Responsibility was given to the SIRD because the institute as an autonomous institute is not directly involved in the implementation process.

1. To undertake social audit in a very comprehensive and systematic manner to create a model for future replication.

2. Involvement of the SIRD in the process so that the entire process can be taken as a field level research.

3. To undertake the entire social audit process on campaign mode to ensure maximum participation of rural masses in every stage of the process.

4. To provide the rural youth and women to facilitate the process and do the actual social audit in the field as Social Auditors through people’s active participation.

5. To generate awareness on the rural development programmes and the social audit process among the rural masses through the Social Auditors and the Resource Persons.

6. To find out programme specific, location specific issues and discrepancies for follow up action, investigation etc.

7. To organize model social audit Gram Sabhas not only for discussing the

Objectives

issues and discrepancies placed by the social auditors but also to help rural masses to express their needs and grievances in the Sabhas.

8. To prepare Gaon Panchayat, VCDC and VDC wise social audit reports for the entire state covering 2201 Gaon Panchayats, VCDCs and VDCs of autonomous districts and subsequently to put them on public domain after proper analysis.

9. To help the department to take follow up action as a corrective measure.

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33

1. Identification of 10015 auditors as per MGNREGA norms to be engaged as social auditors to undertake social audit in 2201 Gaon Panchayats of the state and around 500 VCDCs and VDCs in autonomous districts.

2. Selection of district and block level resource persons and involved them in the process.

3. TOTs and other training programmes for the faculty members of SIRD and district and block resource persons.

4. Training programmes for the social auditors on rural development programmes and social audit process in 12 Extension Training Centres of the State (first round).

5. Second round of training programmes for the social auditors.

6. Satellite based training system was also used for imparting training to the social auditors and resource persons from the State HQ.

7. Manual on social audit in local languages prepared.

Sequential process adopted by SIRD

8. Preparation of questionnaires, proformas in local languages to capture information/ issues/ discrepancies in the field.

9. Gaon Panchayat, VCDC and VDC wise documentation of the social auditors with their full details and putting them on public domain.

10. Photo indentify issued to the social auditors.

34

11. District and block wise allocation of responsibilities to the resource persons and putting all these information in public domain.

12. Sensitisation of all the CEOs of Zilla Parishad, Project Directors of DRDAs, Block Development Officers and PRI Chairpersons and members on the approach.

13. Collection of information from all the implementing agencies on all rural development programmes implemented during 2013-2014,

2014-2015 in SIRD’s website and subsequently handing it over to all the social audit teams across the state through SIRD’s 12 Extension Training Centres.

14. Shifting of the social auditors to different Gaon Panchayats for undertaking actual social audit (social auditors were not allowed to undertake social audit in their own Gaon Panchayats).

15. Social audit awareness campaign in the field by involving resource persons and social auditors.

16. Selected persons from 22000 wards of Gram Panchayats attended the campaigns and carried the message of social audit process to their respective villages.

17. Actual social audit in the field including report preparation by social auditors on the discrepancies and the issues.

18. Gaon Panchayats, VCDCs and VDCs were asked to fix the dates and convene the Gram Sabhas well ahead

35

of time for wider publicity. Dates were put on public domain.

19. Wide publicity through print and public media.

20. Gram Sabhas in all 2201 Gaon Panchayats and 500 VCDCs and VDCs.

21. Preparation of Gram Sabha proceedings and final reports by social auditors and resource persons.

22. Collection of all the reports from social auditors by SIRD for final analysis on discrepancies and issues to be submitted to Government for follow up action, inquiry, investigation etc.

The social audit covered all the rural development programmes implementing during 2013-14 and 204-15 in all the districts of the state. Special focus was given on MGNREGA and IAY.

The SIRD with its 12 Extension Training Centres coordinated the entire process through a well chalked out plan.

The institute developed more than 10000 Social Auditors to undertake social audit in all the Gram Panchayats, VCDCs and VDCs of the State. The arrangement was as follows –

• District Resource Persons - 12• Block Resource Persons - 80• Social Auditors - 10015• 4 persons each in Gaon Panchayats /

VCDC / VDC• Total number of Gaon Panchayats -

2201• VCDCs/VDCs -515

Broad approaches adopted – Programmes covered

Resource Persons and Social Auditors developed for the plan4 social auditors were involved in each Gram Panchayat, VCDC & VDC ares for conducting social audit. Social auditors were not engaged for doing the social audit in their own Gram Panchayats. They were shifted to different Gram Panchayats.Background of the District Resource persons, Block Resource Persons and Social Auditors.

36

1. Rtd. Professors2. Rtd. Officials3. Prominent social workers

1. Educated youth from job card holding families.

2. Bharat Nirman Volunteers

3. Members of SHGs and Federations.

Social auditors were selected as per guidelines of MGNREGA 4th Edition.One member was invariably woman in each social audit team.

1. Rtd. Officials2. Rtd. School & Civil Society

Organisations3. Social workers and also

Faculty Members of SIRD and Extension Centres.

4. One Block Level Resource Person looked after 3 blocks.

District Coordinators and District Resource

Persons were

Social auditors were

Block Resource Persons were

37

Training

Field Exercises Questionnaires and proformas in local languages

Collection of InformationAll the social auditors, resource persons were trained up before the process on various aspects of the rural development programmes including the social audit process by SIRD through its Extension Training Centres. The training was in two rounds. All the officials/ elected representatives of PRIs from State to Gaon Panchayat level has been sensitised on the entire process.

Team of social auditors having 4 members started the social audit process in the field. They organised special social audit gram sabhas to present their findings.

Village Social Audit Team organised special social audit gram Sabha

The SIRD prepared questionnaires and proformas programme wise in local languages to help the social auditors to capture all the information gram panchayat wise and also identify the issues and discrepancies in the field.

Strict instructions were issued from Government to districts, block and Panchayat level officials to hand over information programme wise implemented during 2013-2014 & 2014-2015 to SIRD. SIRD in turn uploaded all the information block and panchayat wise in its website and handed over the information to the social auditors.

Collection of information by the Village Social Auditors

38

Documents crossed checked

Reports prepared by social auditors

Social audit in autonomous areas

The social auditors visited the Gaon Panchayats / Block Officers to cross check the information in the following documents

• Job Card application register• Job Card issue register• Application for work register• Date receipt register• Work allotment register• Work register• Asset register• Muster roll receipt register• Unemployment allowance register

• Complain register• Redressal register• Material procurement register• Gaon sabha proceeding register• Administrative, financial, technical

sanction• Financial statement• Measurement Book• Electors List

Xerox copies of the following documents were also taken by the social auditors for cross verification in the field.

• Muster roll• Pay order.

• Bills and vouchers• Plan and estimate

Each social audit team prepared social audit reports on the basis of the proformas filled up through interactions with job card holders, beneficiaries, villagers and also through site inspection. 2201 such reports were prepared by the teams for placing in the social audit gram sabha.

The institute also conducted social audit in difficult areas of Bodo Land, Dima Hasao, Karbi Anglong etc. and successfully conducted the social audit gram sabhas through the social auditors and the Resource Persons.

Resource Persons guided the social auditors in developing the reports for presentation in the Gram Sabhas.

39

Social audit Gram Sabhas conducted

Submission of reports by the social auditors

Analysis and preparation of the final report by SIRD

Awareness campaigns before social audit

Social audit team organised audit Gram Sabhas in all the 2201 Gram Panchayats and VCDCs & VDCs. Social audit reports prepared by social auditors

were presented before the Gram Sabhas for discussion. Minutes have been prepared by the team on the recommendations and suggestions of each Gram Sabha. Social audit teams conducted the Gram Sabhas and an independent person chaired the Gram Sabha.

Social auditors submitted the filled up proformas, questionnaires, proceedings of the Gram Sabha and their reports to the institute for further analysis.

SIRD and its 12 Extension Training Centres analysed and prepared final reports highlighting various issues programme wise for submission to the department.

The SIRD in the month of October’ 2014 conducted awareness campaigns in the field about the social audit process to be undertaken and the main features of the rural development programmes undertaken for the social audit. FAQs and leaflets in local languages were used in the campaigns. Nodal person from each ward of the Gram Panchayats were picked

up for the awareness camps. These nodal persons in turn generated awareness among the rural masses about the social audit process in the field. Quickies were prepared specially and telecast in the local channels for generating awareness among the rural masses. Kaam mango abhiyan was also combined with awareness programmes.

40

Preparatory works completed before the social audit process

• Social Auditors were imparted two rounds of training and got ready to start their audit process in their allotted Gram Panchayats / VCDCs / VDCs.

• Names of the Social Auditors and Gram Panchayats allotted to them for the social audit were made available on public domain (www.sirdassam.in).

• Block Level Resource Persons were in place to coordinate the process. Their names, phone numbers and area allotted were also available in the website.

• Awareness camps on basic features of rural development programmes and the social audit process were organised in the field before the social audit.

• Social Auditors and Resource Persons themselves were involved in the awareness generation process.

• Leaflets with FAQs on rural development programmes and social audit process were distributed to sensitise rural people on the need to participate in the social audit and also in the ensuring Gram Sabhas.

• The Song prepared by SIRD on social audit were played in the awareness camps.

• Awareness camps also included as Kam Mango Abhiyan and wide publicity was also given on this aspect also.

• Participation of the people were encouraging in the camps across the state.

• Selected persons picked up from around 22000 panchayat wards, VCDCs & VDC areas disseminated the message on social audit from the awareness camps to the villages.

• Uploading of the information on the rural development programmes implemented during 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015 was done by SIRD in its website Gaon Panchayat / VCDC / VDC wise.

• Extension Centres also collected information directly from the blocks as per the proformas prepared by the SIRD to expedite the process of handing over the information to the social audit teams.

• Dates of Gram Sabhas received from the blocks were announced in the awareness camps and effort was taken to mobilise people for massive participation in the social audit Gram Sabhas.

• Filling up of the questionnaires to study women’s participation in MGNREGA was also take up by the social auditors.

• A set of questionnaires, proformas, guide book etc. were handed over to more than 2500 social audit teams across the state through the Extension Centres.

• Teams were oriented to fill up the proformas, questionnaires and also to prepare the reports before the Gram Sabhas and also to prepare the minutes of the Gram Sabhas.

• Faculty Members were oriented to do the analysis of GP wise reports.

• Quickies were prepared with message from Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam and Hon’ble Minister, P & RD, Assam and were telecasted.

• Advertisements were given for publicity in print media.

• Letters of authority with photo identity were issued to the Social Auditors and Resource Persons by respective Extension Centres of SIRD.

41

Significant outcome and experience gathered through the entire process• Campaign mode:

Campaign mode adopted for undertaking the social audit have created awareness among rural people to participate in the process to undertake social audit for all the rural development programmes implemented during 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015 in 2201 Gaon Panchayats and around 500 VCDCs/VDCs belonging to 219 Development Blocks under 27 districts. People spontaneously came out to participate in different stages of the social audit process including placing their felt need and grievances in the Gram Sabhas.

• Proactive role played by rural masses due to the awareness camps: Awareness camps organised month before the actual social audit process also helped the rural people to know about the different aspects of the rural development programmes and the social audit process. This equipped

the rural people to become more pro-active and participatory in the entire social audit process. People in remote villages of difficult districts like Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao came out to place their grievances to the social audit teams as well as in the Gram Sabhas.

• Evaluation of large number of schemes directly by rural people simultaneously all over the state: For the first time the state has seen rural people coming out to evaluate the large number of schemes implemented in the rural areas and identified the discrepancies for corrective measures. People along with social audit teams audited atleast 28580 schemes under MGNREGA alone in 9 days.

• Uploading of all relevant information for transparency: All the relevant information of the rural development programmes implemented in 2013 – 2014, 2014 –

42

2015 were collected from the blocks and Gram Panchayats and uploaded by SIRD in its website. This has created transparency about the programmes. Social audit teams carried all the relevant information of these programmes to the villages and the villagers got the different information relating to the projects, schemes implemented in their respective villages. This transparency which followed the awareness camps will help the villagers to track future development process in their respective villages. It is expected that in future also villagers will ask for similar information in the programmes and schemes to be implemented in subsequent years.

• Learning process of rural people on evaluation of the schemes: More than 10000 rural youth and women took the lead and involved rural people to do the cross checking of the information and records gathered on the actual implementation. This was a learning process for rural people to know as to how schemes are evaluated to know whether they have

been implemented as per the plan and estimate or not.

• Developmentofskillonidentificationof discrepancies: It was a learning process for the villagers to know as to how discrepancies, draw backs, gaps can be identified in the planning and implementation process and place them in the Gram Sabhas for corrective measures. This skill earned by rural people will continue beyond the social audit process.

• Massive participation in the social audit Gram Sabhas: 2201 Gram Sabhas in as many Gaon Panchayats and separate Gram Sabhas for autonomous council areas were

conducted. People in large number attended these Gram Sabhas across the state. Social auditors who visited the villages for social audit exercises for 9 days preceeding the Gram Sabhas generated the awareness about the benefit of participating in Gram Sabhas. This has motivated the rural people to participate in the Gram Sabhas in large number to place

43

their needs, grievances and also the discrepancies identified in the implementation process in the villages. In certain Gram Sabhas 700 to 1000 people participated to discuss the issues. Deputy Commissioners in some Upper Assam districts asked the Tea Garden authorities to declare holidays to facilitate massive participation of tea garden workers in the Gram Sabhas.

• Ensuring accountability through exercise of democratic right: People for the first time came to know as to how the democratic rights can be exercised in the Gram Sabhas and make the implementing authorities and panchayats accountable to the rural masses. People expressed the feeling in certain areas of the state that for the first time they had come to know about the development process of Panchayati Raj Institutions including importance of Gram Sabhas in participatory development.

• Analysis of social benefit by ruralmasses:It has been observed that in many villages’ people have been able to acquire the skill of analysing critically the social benefit of the rural development programmes. This will, if carried forward will help the rural people to actively participate in the planning and implementation process of rural development programmes.

• Fighting against vested interest: In many places social auditors and the people had to fight against vested interest of the elite groups in the panchayats. In some places, social audit teams were not allowed to see the documents in the panchayats and office itself was closed down

to avoid the process. In one place, social audit team was confined in a room to prevent them for doing social audit. Chaotic situation became very common in many places during Gram Sabhas as the panchayats could not give satisfactory replies to the queries of the people on the discrepancies identified by them with the help of the social auditors. In many places, the Chairpersons of the Gram Panchayats and Secretaries avoided the Gram Sabhas convened by the social auditors. People adjourned the Gram Sabhas and informed that they would attend the Gram Sabhas only when the Chairpersons and Secretaries of Gram Panchayats turn up to reply their queries.

• Zeal for work by rural youth demonstrated during the process: Throughout the entire process the dormant zeal of the rural youth become apparent and motivated them to take up the entire exercise very seriously for the development of the villages. The dormant quality which has come up among more than 10000 rural youth and women will help them in carrying forward the development process in their respective villages.

• Important values came to the fore:Through the social audit process, many important values in the development system came to the fore. Values are collective effort, ensuring transparency, accountability, mutual help, spirit for development, active participation in the development process etc.

44

Analysis of reports

Special Features of the process

1. Reports have been analysed for 2201 GPs and separately Block wise for autonomous areas.

2. Issues have been identified from the following stages of the entire social audit process. • Village visits • Filling up of questionnaires in a

participatory manner• Focus group discussions • Site visits • Household visits • Office visits.• Gram Sabha proceedings.• Grievances and complaints

submitted by people.

• For the First time 3rd party has been involved.

• 10000 Social auditors exclusively developed for the purpose.

• Systematic approach for the capacity building of auditors and the resource persons.

• Campaign mode in the entire process.• Massive coverage of all the 27 districts

including the Autonomous districts. • Spontaneous participation of the

people in every stage. • Many rural women and youth came

forward to work as social auditors along with Social Auditors engaged.

• Peoples spontaneously submitted grievances in every stages of the process including submission of written grievances and complaints.

• Participations of different stakeholders like Social workers , Activist, academicians etc.

• Kam Mango Abhiyan has become a part of the entire process.

• Mobilization undertaken during the Social Audit process also helped in IPPE.

• Research undertaken on Women participation in MGNREGA.

• Mobilization of rural women in the process including attendance in the Gram Sabhas has become easy due to the inclusion of women social auditors in the teams.

• Gram Sabhas became successful because it was not mobilized by panchayats but by people themselves.

• In many places rural youth who are not social auditors come forward to help the social auditors.

• The entire process was ultimately taken over by rural people.

• SIRD has undertaken the entire process as field research activity.

45

Structure and network created for rolling out social audit process

SIRDState HQ

12 Extension Centres covering 27 districts

12 District Resource Persons

80 Block Level Resource Persons

Gram Panchayat / VCDCs / VDC wise social auditors

46

Sequence of events and activities for undertaking social audit

Training of Trainers for the Faculty Members

and District & Block Level Resource Persons Sensitisation

programmes for Deputy Commissioners, other district level officials

Block Development Officers,

representatives of PRIs

22000 selected persons developed for

generating awareness in the panchayats

Wide publicity through print and electronic media

Collecting information on the schemes

implemented in 2013 – 2014, 2014 – 2015 and uploading them in the

website

Handing over of information and

proformas etc. to the social auditors

Visit by social auditors to Gram

Panchayat offices for information collection and cross checking of

information already collected

Awareness campaigns on Rural Development

programmes and social audit process

47

Training programmes for social auditors

Satellite based interactions with

the selected social auditors

Gram Panchayat wise placement of

social auditors

Block wise placement of Resource PersonsUploading of

information on social auditors and

Resource Persons in the website

Preparation of manuals, IEC materials, FAQs, questionnaires, etc. in local language

Visits to the household sites and focussed group discussion with villagers

Report preparation by social audit teams

for Gram Sabhas

Actual holding of Gram Sabhas

Preparation of Gram Sabha proceedings

Submission of the reports by social

auditors

Issue identification and preparation of

Gram Panchayat wise / VCDC / VDC wise

report by SIRD

Submission to the department for taking action on the reports

48

Training of Social Auditors

49

Awareness Generation for Social Audit

50

Collection of information for Audit

51

Documents Verification at GP office

52

Physical Verification of the Schemes

53

Conduction of Social Audit Gram Sabha

54

Preparation of report based on gram Sabha

55

Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana Background: The objective of the Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana is to provide financial assistance to educated unemployed youth by providing institutional credit supported by Government subsidy to enable them to undertake productive income generation activities for self employment. The State Government entrusted the responsibility to the State Institute of Rural Development for implementation of the project in July’ 2005. The institute has since been implementing the project.

Specially attraction to the youth: Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana has been exclusively designed to provide self employment avenues to unemployed youth through Joint Liability Groups.

Wide range of income generating activities: Another attractive provision in the yojana is that unemployed youth can select their economic activities from wide range of income generation activities.

Diversificationofincomegeneratingactivities: Initially thrust was on mechanised agricultural activities, livestock, poultry farming, fishery, horticulture etc. Now, youth have gone for different micro enterprises in secondary and tertiary sector including rural transport.

Target Group: Loan and government subsidy under yojana is provided to unemployed youth, young farmers, weavers, women, artisans within the age group of 18 to 37 years. they may belong to both BPL and marginally above BPL families.

Educationalqualification: The applicants should have read up to Class X standard. However, educational qualification is relaxed upto Class – V for women for undertaking schemes in handloom, sericulture etc. Educational qualification is relaxed upto Class – VII for youth taking up agricultural activities with power tillers and tractors.

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56

Loan and subsidy pattern

For 4 members JLGs• Loan ranges from Rs. 3.00 lakhs to Rs.

6.00 lakhs.• Subsidy Rs. 1.60 lakhs or 50% of the

project cost whichever is less.

For 2 members joint effort• Loan ranges from Rs. 2.00 lakhs to Rs.

3.00 lakhs.• Subsidy Rs. 80,000.00 or 50% of the

project cost whichever is less.

For individual • Loan ranges from Rs. 1.00 lakhs to Rs.

1.50 lakhs.• Subsidy Rs. 40,000.00.

Progress Since InceptionCredit Mobilization

Capacity Building

1 Numbers of JLGs developed 44725

2 Number of JLGs sponsored to Bank branches 31811

3 Number of JLGs received bank loan 17976

4 Number of persons assisted under the yojana 65444

5 Amount of Bank loan mobilized Rs. 476.81 Crores

1 Number of persons participated in Community Mobilisation programmes 90472

2 Number of youths trained in Management and Skill Development 25582

3Number of persons undergone upgraded training outside State in Specialized institute/organizations along with exposure visits/ study tours

2458

57

Activity wise credit mobilised under Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana

(1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015)

Sl. No. Name Of The ActivitiesNumber of proposals

sanctioned by Banks

Number of persons assisted under sanctioned

proposals

Amount of Credit

(Rs. In lakh)

1 Improved Agricultural Practice-Acquiring Power Tiller 578 2312 1069.30

2 Improved Agricultural Practice-Acquiring Tractor 56 224 336.00

3 Agri Product Transport 77 231 180.954 Rural Transport 17 20 25.855 Dairy farming 215 860 860.006 Piggery farming 25 100 75.007 Fishery 19 76 38.008 Poultry farming 447 1788 1341.009 Goatery 2 8 5.0010 Handloom 355 1336 710.00

11

Small industry(Steel Farbication Unit, Bleaching power packing, Electrical goods repairing, Sevicing outlet, Eco Hatchery, Vermi culture, Wooden Furniture Unit, Food Processing, Supari processing, Poultry feed outlet, Beauty parlour, Tailoring unit, Reasturant, G.I. Fencing Unit, Video editing, Colour photo lab, Yarn bank, Decorative Textile, Bakery unit, Tent House, Concreate Industry, etc.)

1432 1891 2599.55

12 Agro processing 27 108 108.0013 Horticulture Nursery 419 1676 1257.0014 Tea plantation 1 5 3.0015 Computer Centre 46 76 85.5016 Sericulture 10 38 20.00

Total 3726 10749 8714.15

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Training on skill development

The SIRD has developed a separate centre on IT & Skill Development at Kahikuchi for organising skill development training programmes on different activities. Training are of different duration ranging from 5 days to 1 month.

Special initiative for skill development on the following activities

Training performance

Following is the training performance made by the institute under the yojana.

Sl. No. Name of the programme Number of

coursesNumber of

participants1. Awareness generation 597 904722. Management development, skill

development and technology transfer

840 25582

3. Special training and exposure outside the states in specialised institutes

107 2458

Total 1544 118512

1. For women• Beautician• Pattern making• Textile design • Handloom product diversification• Autocad

2. Construction related for youth• Masonry, form carpentry and bar-

bending. • Electrical house wiring. • Plumbing and sanitary fitting.• Fabrication works, • Painting works

Duration of the training programmes varies from 21 days to 90 days

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Training outside the state

The SIRD has already sent 2458 youth outside the state for improved training and exposure with the help of the following institutes

3. Driving.4. Repairing and maintenance of agricultural implements.5. Household Electrical implements.6. Mobile repairing.7. Bamboo & wood craft.8. Financial management.9. ICT, Computer literacy, MIS, PRIASOFT & others.10. Orchid cultivation.11. Carpentry.12.Scientificfarmmanagementin agriculture and allied activities

• University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

• National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi

• Karnataka Animal, Veterinary & Fishery Science University, Bangalore

• Central Poultry Development Organisation, Hessaraghata, Bangalore, Karnataka

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• National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana

• Central Institute of Post Harvest Engineering & Technology, Ludhiana.

• National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi / Kolkata

• Fulia Tangail Bayan Shilpa Samity, Nadia, West Bengal

• National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

• Central Silk Board, Bangalore• Institute of Rural Management, Anand,

Gujrat• Kerala Institute of Local Self

Aministration, Thrissur • Institute of Poultry Management &

Technology, Pune

Support servicesBesides loan and subsidy, SIRD provide additional support services to JLGs taking up mechanised agricultural activities and handloom. Power pumps and sprayer machines are provided to the JLGs taking up mechanised agricultural activities. Jacquard looms, yarn and GCI sheet are provided to groups taking up handloom activities.

Monitoring and evaluationConsidering the large number of persons now being assisted under the yojana, the SIRD has involved third parties like Omeo Kumar Das Institute of Social Change and Development, Nanda Talukdar Foundation for monitoring of the each and every assisted group to find their status. Status of each group is documented district wise and also uploaded in the website of the SIRD (www.sirdassam.in).

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Mechanised agricultural activities and horticultureAt the initial stage of implementation, the SIRD laid special emphasis on attracting young boys to mechanised agricultural activities for their self employment. The institute mobilised large number of youth into JLGs for taking this activity of mechanised farming in different districts of the state. Some of the significant aspects are

The SIRD has been implementing Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana since 2005. The yojana has become very popular among rural unemployed youth, young farmers, weavers etc. It has become demand driven and different stakeholders have extended support for smooth implementation of the yojana. So far, 72016 persons mostly unemployed youth, young farmers and weavers have been assisted with bank loan and government subsidy. The institute has so far received very good cooperation from the nationalised and regional rural banks. Enhancement of the subsidy to 50% has become an another big incentives to the unemployed youth. Started with 15% the subsidy has now gone up to 50% of the project cost with a ceiling of Rs. 1.60 lakhs in case of 4 member JLGs.

Impact of Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana in the field – an overview

Introduction of the provisions for assisting 2 individuals coming together or a single individual have become another popular attraction among the youth who wants to set up micro enterprise individually or jointly with one more person.

Asectorwiseanalysisoftheimpactoftheprogrammeinthefieldisgivenbelow:

• So far 18398 unemployed youth have taken up mechanised agricultural activities by purchasing power tillers and tractors.

• Cluster approach has been adopted for development of mechanised agricultural activities in the field.

• Many clusters of mechanised agriculture activities have been developed. In the villages of some of the clusters SIRD introduced mechanised farming for the first time

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under Chief Minister’s Jeevan Jyoti Swaniojan Yojana.

• Clusters have also been developed in remote places like Sadia, Dhemaji, Sarupathar, Merapani in Golaghat district etc.

• Agricultural scenario has been changed in these clusters.

• Assisted youth have undergone improved training on mechanised farming inside and outside the state.

• The youth having shown good results in the field have been picked up for specialised training in Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore.

• Horticultural activities have also become popular among unemployed youth under the yojana.

• Many youth have taken up activities banana plantation, lemon plantation etc.

• More than 500 small banana farms have come up under the yojana in different districts of the state.

• Field monitoring reports have highlighted that in some JLGs net income for banana cultivation has gone up to around Rs. 10.00 lakhs per group per year.

• Tea nurseries have become very popular in tea pockets of the state under the yojana.

• Youth including lady members have raised tea nurseries for supplying saplings to the big tea gardens in the neighbouring areas.

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• Floricultural clusters have also been developed in different districts of the state.

• Traditional floricultural activities in Hajo area have further been developed under the yojana. Each group has received an amount of Rs. 4.00 lakhs with government subsidy of Rs. 1.60 lakhs.

• Selected members of these groups attended training programme in University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore for specialised training on floriculture and nursery development.

• Besides loan and subsidy each of the JLGs taking up mechanised agricultural activities are provided support services of one pump for irrigation and sprayer machine.

• Along with agricultural activities, poultry farming and livestock rearing have become very popular among the youth for their sustainable self employment.

• Around 1800 poultry farms have come up in different districts of the state. They are run by 4 member JLGs.

• A loan amount of Rs. 3.00 lakhs supported by 50% subsidy given to each group under the yojana.

• Instant profit within short span of time is the most important attraction of the activity among the youth.

• Availability in local markets in different districts has also facilitated the growth

Poultry farming and livestock rearing

of the poultry activities.

• So far around 2000 dairy farms have been assisted under the yojana in different districts of the state.

• Some of the clusters in Darrang, Morigaon, Dibrugarh have shown very good results.

• Youth have been sent to undergo specialised training in National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal for attending specialised training.

• Activities like pig farming, fisheries, goat farming have also been taken up by youth and women in different districts of the state.

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• Some of the youth taking up pig rearing have developed pig breeding farms for supplying piglets to the farmers.

• Some pig breeding groups in Kamrup and Nalbari have been doing very good business by supplying piglets to new beneficiaries and farmers.

• The SIRD has been sending youth taking up fish farming in JLGs under the yojana for exposure in Andhra Pradesh to have first hand information and gather new ideas in pisciculture pockets of Andhra Pradesh.

Many support service activities like agro processing units, marketing outlets for agricultural inputs, nurseries for saplings, milk processing units, have come up in different districts as a result of agriculture and allied activities under the yojana. Many youth purchased agro product carriers for carrying agricultural produces in different districts to facilitate the marketing process for different groups assisted under the yojana.

The institute has given special emphasis on value addition and diversification of handloom products. Some of the significant aspects observed are as follows:

Activities for providing support services

Diversificationofhandloom

• Many weavers have been assisted with bank loan and subsidy to take up improved weaving activities for diversification and value addition of the products.

• Special training programmes on skill development are being organised in SIRD’s Resource Centre in IT & Skill Development, Kahikuchi.

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Around 3500 micro enterprises have been set up by JLGs and two member groups. Individual youth have also set up micro enterprises for their self employment. Some of the significant aspects are

Micro enterprises and small business

• Training centres have also been set up in different places of the state for skill upgradation of the weavers.

• Besides bank loan and subsidy improved looms with jacquard, fine yarn and other support services are also provided to the weavers to facilitate the growth of their activity.

• Weavers are sent outside the state particularly West Bengal to attend improved skill development training programmes for production of diversified handloom items.

• Special arrangements are also made with NIFT, New Delhi and Kolkata for specialised training of weavers.

• Many micro enterprises like computer centres, fast food outlets, food processing centres, garment making units, shops for electrical goods, hardware items, tent houses, have come up.

• Many young ladies have opened beauty parlour after being trained up.

• Special training courses are being run separately for them under trained Resource Persons.

• Arrangement has been made for training on skill development for activities like electrical works, carpentry, plumber works, repairing of farm implements, etc.

• Individual youth have set up micro enterprises by availing a loan amount which ranges from Rs. 1.00 lakh to Rs. 1.50 lakh.

• It has been observed that many such youth have been earning net income of Rs. 5000.00 to Rs. 8,000.00 per

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month by investing Rs. 1.00 lakh to Rs. 1.50 lakh for setting up different enterprises.

• Many youth have come together and taken up activities in two member groups (joint effort) for setting up micro enterprises.

• They have availed bank loan which ranges from Rs. 2.00 lakhs to Rs. 2.50 lakhs with a government subsidy of Rs. 80,000.00.

• Many enterprises like garment shops, tailoring shops, restaurant, hardware shops, computer centrs have been successfully taken under this approach.

Many youth have shown keen interest in acquiring vehicles for carrying passengers in rural areas. Some of them have purchased three wheelers for carrying goods in the villages. Two youth can purchase a three wheeler for carrying goods by availing a bank loan of Rs. 1.70 lakh. They get a government subsidy of Rs. 80,000.00 and contribute 10% from their end. Remaining Rs. 70,000.00 is only the bank loan. Many youth have been provided self employment through this activity.

The institute has taken up intensive monitoring of the groups assisted during 2009 – 2010, 2010 – 2011, 2011 – 2012 and 2012 – 2013 and performance of 60% groups are reported to be very good, 30% are good and 10% are average.

The institute has also developed a software where all the information relating to the present status of the of the evaluated JLGs have been uploaded and linked up with the website of the SIRD which can be seen by any interested persons.

Rural transport

Evaluation of the JLGs by third party

Placing of information on assisted and evaluated groups in public domain

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It is a story of a person who failed many times before getting the taste of success. He never accepted defeat and always kept trying. Anup Kumar Boro hails from a small village called Najirakhat, around 18 kilometers away from the city of Guwahati. Initially, he did rice cultivation on his own land to meet his daily expenses, but he realized this would not suffice his livelihood. Anup was then inspired by another entrepreneur Dilip Doloi in his neighborhood to take up dairy farming, as Doloi had made good profit from it.

In 2005, Anup Boro bought a cow and started the farm at individual level. He found difficulty in selling the milk as it is mostly sold in large quantities in the area due to large scale organized dairy farming. So, it was difficult for the small time business man to sell his small produce. In 2010, he expanded the farm but this time, the farm was hit by the unexpected arrival of the Foot and Mouth Disease, forcing him to sell the entire herd.

Learning about the CMJJSY scheme, he approached the SIRD for financial help along with three other friends. They decided to set up a dairy farm again, which they thought would be profitable if done in a larger scale. A loan amount of Rs 3,00,000 with a subsidy of 50% was sanctioned which was disbursed by Bijoya Bank, Khanapara. An amount of Rs 42,000 was released in the first phase to make the cow-shed.

AJANTA JLSG (DAIRY FARMING)

Some Case Studies

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Presently the group produces around 70 liters of milk daily. They sell the milk in the nearby market of Sonapur and get a good price per liter. They now have a total of fifteen cows in their shed. Best part is that they are third time lucky as they have started making a profit of around Rs 40,000 monthly and they have been repaying their loan regularly.

Looking at his determination and success, Anup was also sent by the Dairy Department for training in NDDB, Gujarat, which has proved to be very beneficial for him. Interestingly, some of the members of the group have got involved in rubber plantation not only expanding their area of activity but giving a boost to their income also. They have further plans to expand the farm and generate more profits from it in the coming times.

Critical determinants for success-1. Choosing activity according the suitability of the area;2. The never-give-up attitude ;3. Phase-wise distribution of loan by the banks;4. The training offered by various government departments;5. Support and guidance extended by SIRD;6. Readily-available market.

Gautam Kumar Nath is a private veterinary practitioner and he hails from the village Kopahera of Morigaon district. He realized that there was a need to scale up the monthly income in order to sustain a better lifestyle. He joined hands with three other people who had been pursuing different activities to meet the daily needs. With the help of the promoting agency SIRD, they could take a loan of Rs. 3 lakhs with 50% subsidy in 2013 May from Indian Overseas Bank, Mikirbheta branch. Thus Aruna JLSG came into being and they set up a poultry farm.

They had no extra piece of land where the farm could be set up. So they took a lease of 1 bigha land where the poultry farm with 2000-2500 livestocks capacity took shape. They have sold eight batches of chicken to the market and have made profit of more than Rs 3.55 lakh of rupees over the year.

They have expanded the poultry with the profit generated and have capacity for 4000-5000 livestock now. Additionally, they have bought 3 cows and with the availability of more capital, they plan to expand the dairy which they believe is a very profitable business. They never shared the profit earned between the members. They are recycling the income in various activities like the dairy farm and expansion work.

ARUNA JLSG (POULTRY)

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The story has almost been same in every household in the villages where the womenfolk preferred to look after the family and occasionally helped the males in the income generating activity rather than directly getting involved in it.

With time, as the government and the NGOs have tried to empower the women more, the women in the rural places have also tried to match the footstep of the urban women by being economically self-sufficient. Poonam Dohoti with three other women on becoming aware of CMJJSY scheme through the local facilitators, decided to form a JLSG and apply for a loan to set up a handloom unit.

The group with the help of SIRD got the loan of 2 lakhs and 50% subsidy from Bijoya Bank, Khanapara in 2013. They bought four looms which they set up in their own house and bought the raw materials. The group members have undergone training in Kahikuchi and also in Kolkata. The training in Kolkata has exposed them to superior quality of designing and other techniques, which they found very beneficial. They produce Chador Mekhelas, Gamochas, Karbi Mekhelas etc in the unit. Each member earns about ten thousand rupees per month which has enhanced their way of living in a big way.

They sell their products in nearby shops, and also in Lokhra, Guwahati, which readily accept the products as there is huge demand. The group is flooded with orders throughout the year. Sometimes it so happens that they cannot produce as much as

JONALI JLSG (HANDLOOM)

The group members are delighted by the profit generated by the farm. The group members continue to pursue the individual activities they were previously engaged in. The poultry farm has greatly added to their income and it comes as a relief to them, especially at a time when the prices of the commodities have almost touched the sky. They are able to make savings which instills a feeling of security to their lives. Gautam Kr. Nath being a veterinary practitioner himself is adequately knowledgeable about this trade and knows the pros and cons of it. He can take care of the farm in a scientific manner and this knowledge is proving to be very useful for them.

Critical determinants for success-1. The desire of the members to make more income, which in turn strengthens the

economy;2. Presence of a veterinary practitioner has ensured that all the processes are done

in a scientific way;3. Choosing activity according to the needs of the market;4. Establishing proper bank linkages with the help of the facilitators;5. Having a good group dynamics.

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the market demands. Womenfolk in the villages practice weaving in small scale almost in every household. The skills are inherited from generation to generation. So most women prefer to get involved in handloom sector as they are mostly skilled and it offers them the flexibility and time to shift between home and work.

The members of the group take pride as they can support their husbands and contribute to the family income. As a consequence, the family gets to enjoy a better lifestyle and their children are getting access to quality life.

Critical determinants for success-1. Training and guidance by SIRD;2. Availability of land to set up their own unit;3. Timely and adequate credit from the bank;4. Pre-existing local demand and a ready market;5. Local facilitators who are doing wonderful work on the ground; 6. Establishing proper bank linkages and coordination between bank, SIRD and the

government.

When Bijit Rajkhowa and Bhuban Muktiar got together to venture into the Dairy production, they never had dreamt that they would come this far since both of them had no background on the dairy. In fact both of them had the story of long struggle with more lows than down.

Dairy was not a natural choice for them when they approached the SIRD, Amoni extension centre. But they had the desire to excel hence they set up a joint liability

KIRON JLSG (DAIRY UNIT)group under the name “Kiron JLSG”. So the SIRD was quick to seize upon the opportunity and got them trained before giving them forward linkage to the bank.

After the documentation work, the State Bank of India, Samguri extended a loan of Rs 4,00,000 of which Rs 3,60,000 have been disbursed. The group got the loan in September 2013 and they bought 6 cows. Today they are proud owner of 6 milking cows, two non milking cows and

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five heifers, which means young cow, yet to deliver the first calf.

Today they produce 60 liters of milk a day and most of them goes to Nagaon market. Now here is a look at their milk economics.Monthly sale @ Rs 40 x 60 liters x 30 days = Rs 72,000Monthly Expenditure: Rs 30,000Monthly Bank EMI: Rs 7,500Monthly profit: Rs 34,500.So far the group had repaid about Rs 60,000 to the bank. They want to liquidate the loan by 2016 but in the same process they are also trying to expand the dairy.

Critical determinants for success-1. Locational advantage;2. Awareness about the scheme made by the facilitators on the ground;3. Timely and adequate supply of loan;4. Hard work and efficient management of the group.5. Proper implementation of scheme by.

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ADITYA JLSG (RICE MILL)When Tultul Moran, Diganta Moran, Niren Moran and Mridul Moran graduated from the Doomdooma College in Tinsukia, they decided to walk off the beaten rack and not to wait for government jobs. The most natural choice was to form joint liability group by the four friends s they were already in touch with the SIRD activities. They

named it as “Aditya”.They were aware of the CMJJY scheme but they had not yet made their mind about what would be the exact nature of their activities.

Tinsukia town, situated in the northern part of Assam, and just 52 kilometers away from the border with Arunachal Pradesh, is better known as the commercial capital of the state. On the other hand Tinsukia as a district earns the highest government revenue for its abundant tea gardens, coal reserves

besides the oil related activities of Indian oil and Oil India Limited(OIL).

The four enterprising youths are residents of nearby villages of Rupai, Kakopothar and Kakojan. They eventually decided to set up a rice mill in Kakopothar, where rice cultivation is done in abundance but no proper rice

mill.

People used to go to faraway places to grind the paddy. Under the CMJJSY scheme, they applied for loan which was promptly sanctioned and released by State Bank of India, Doomdooma branch, in the year 2006. They got the loan of Rs 2,00,000 at a subsidy of 15%.

With the money, they set up the mill and started the activity. The mill has been quite successful and it was a

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great relief for the people in the area, who didn’t have to go far to grind the paddy. The group employed two people to look after the activities of the mill. They get a monthly remuneration of five thousand rupees.

They collect rice from various Self Help Groups and Joint Liability Groups developed under various projects implemented by SIRD, Assam, and also from outside the state. After collecting the items, they sell in their own grocery shop and supply to various places along with Arunachal Pradesh.

The unit got award from Chief Minister and also went for an exposure visit to Ludhiana arranged by the SIRD, Assam. Next year, the members decided to expand the activity and opened a grocery shop next to the mill, where almost every item necessary for daily use is available. They also gave shape to a tea nursery, on the land owned by one of the group member. The group is earning handsome and at this moment that is around Rs 50,000.

In fact the determined effort of young men and their eventual success have become an yardstick for the others to follow.

Critical determinants for success-1. Existence of demand for the services provided by the group in the area;2. Working together, planning and proper execution;3. Awareness spread by the SIRD facilitators;4. Proper utilization of the resources in the enterprise and its expansion;

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Joint Effort with Oil India Ltd.

Under the Corporate Social Responsibility, Oil India Ltd., has joined hand with State Institute of Rural Development, Assam by signing an MoU and implementing a project Titled Rupantar with a common goal to work towards socio economic development

of the Oil operational areas in Upper Assam. The main thrust of the project is to overcome unemployment situation by means of taking up entrepreneurship development programme with emphasis on the youth of the area. The project Rupantar is providing the

rural poor and the unemployed an opportunity to become self employed. Both the OIL and SIRD decided to explore self employment opportunities in the identified potential areas in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors through entrepreneurship development programmes. This was because an entrepreneurship development programme would also act as a catalyst for development of

self employment and would facilitate:

• Enhancement of spirit of the Entrepreneurship by improving managerial capabilities among youths and promoting micro enterprises at rural level.

• Creating a multiplier effect on opportunities for self employment.

• Developing and enhancing agricultural knowledge base by

CHAPTER 10

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utilisation of available scientific knowledge and suggesting appropriate cost cutting methodology.

• Providing access to appropriate and affordable technologies, market related information and building linkages.

• Collaborating with government and non government organisations engaged in promoting and supporting entrepreneurship.

• Augmenting the supply of competent entrepreneurs through training.

The vision of the project Rupantar are to generate sustainable self employment avenues for the educated unemployed youths in and around the company’s operational areas in Upper Assam. The project aims to create self employment avenues and promote entrepreneurship in the region and generate sustainable sources of livelihood in order to help the large number of unemployed youth and strengthen the rural economy.

Objectives• To build up the capacity of rural

youth in the state in managerial aspects like need based skills and technologies in agriculture and allied sector.

• To provide self employment opportunities to the unemployed youth through trainings and credit linkages with various financial institutions.

• To supplement the efforts of government of Assam in employment generation mission.

Under the project Rupantar, SIRD developed and assist 250 SHGs in different income generating activities with a financial support from Oil India Ltd. The OIL & SIRD has been implementing special project in OIL operational areas in Upper Assam in

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a collaborative approach strategy for addressing the needs and aspirations of the disadvantaged communities through capacity building, skill upgradation, provide support services and credit support. The project includes direct assistance, subsidy components, engagement of facilitators and facilitating agencies for group development and monitoring etc. Following are the activities undertaken under the project:

Number of groups developed 1150

Number of groups received assistance 760

Number of groups received credit 290

Number of persons imparted training 139274

• Farm Mechanisation

• Piggery

• Goat Farming

• Dairy Farming

• Duck Rearing

• Fishery Development

• Handloom

• Sericulture and Handloom.

Following is the progress so far made under the project:

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Besides the above activities in its joint effort, following two activities have also been taken up by the State Institute of Rural Development, Assam and Oil India Ltd.

1. Dikhya a computer literacy programme in the schools for students.

2. Adult literacy programmes for the rural people.

Computer education:

The institute have been organising computer literacy programme for the students in the schools of Upper Assam districts in Oil operated areas. For which, a mobile trainers have been team have been developed with well equipped with Laptop, power backup system etc. The team has been regularly organising training programmes in different schools. Large number of students have been imparted training on computer literacy and now being able to use the computer in their day to day study.

Adult literacy programmes:

With a view to eradicate adult literacy in rural Assam, the project Dikhya was launched. Oil India Ltd. in association with SIRD, Assam has identified six locations for adult literacy programmes. After imparting training to the rural adult illiterate persons, examinations are conducted for evaluating their progress. The objective of the project is to empower individuals through improved skills and gain access to knowledge and decent employment. Around 300 adult persons have been trained up in 6 locations. The syllabus of the adult literacy education is designed on the adult literacy education of Government of Assam. The adult education is also a mobile education just teaching learning materials used to move in vehicles. The participants are provided with books, bags, file cover, slate, pencil, pen etc. To monitor the progress of the adult literacy project and also the gather the participants from various panchayat areas, local persons in the form of volunteer have been engaged.

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