SIKKIM - STATE ANNUAL PLAN 2001-2002

RURAL DEVELOPMENT

DEMAND NO. 36

BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF SCHEMES FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Swarn Jayanti Gram swarojghar Yozana

Self Employment programme covering organisation of poor into self help group, training, credit technology, infrastructure and market.

Integrated Rural Energy Programme

Renewable source of energy programme emphasized in the field of saving of Rural Energy both indoor and outdoor lighting. The scheme also includes Biogas Chulas etc.

Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yozana (JGSY)

Three are need to develop village economy creation of Rural Infrastructure.

Employment Assurance Scheme

Creation of the employment opportunities for the unemployed living in the Rural areas specially during the lean period.

Community Development and Panchayat

To ensure effective administration and developmental activities in each district and providing necessary infrastructure in view of devolutions of powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions.

Rural Water Supply & Sanitation

To provide clean safe drinking water in all the remaining habitation @40 lpcd and improve the sanitation facilities in the Rural areas. The Govt of India has introduced the scheme called Pilot Project from 1999-2000 onwards.

Rural Roads and Bridges

To improve the rural economy rural connectivity is an important part.

Rural Housing Scheme

Providing shelter to economically weaker section is the main element for socio economic development programme.

OBJECTIVE

Uplift the economy of the weaker section through sustainable income generation, saving of the rural Energy, development of village economy and creation of rural Infrastructure, creation of employment opportunities in Rural areas, provide infrastructure for administrative and developmental activities, provide clean and safe drinking water to rural areas, Ensure better sanitation facilities in rural areas, Development of Road communication infrastructure in Rural areas, socio economic development through providing shelter to the economically weaker rural people.

DRDA ADMINISTRATION

IX PLAN OUTLAY: (Recently launched. No projection could be made)

Local level planning for integrated Development was a phenomenon of relatively recent origin coinciding with the realization by the Government that the involvement of the rural people, particularly, the rural poor in their development was of utmost significance. The rationate of local level planning was based on its role in facilitating decision making by the rural poor in formulating and implementing development projects and activities more acutely attuned to their requirements and mobilizing and allocating resources to exploit fully the growth potential of local areas. That would lead to a development scenario at the local level consistent with the specific needs of the people, growth potential of the area and budgetary allocations available. Thus, the emphasis would be to identify the location of development centres, including peopleis organization and development departments at the level to provide coordination; to mobilize and organize peopleis participation; to plan for infrastructure and economic and social development; to facilitate the undertaking of developmental programmes including conduct of diagnostic surveys or prepare village profile and to supply inputs to the village population.

Accordingly, the Sikkim Rural Development Agency (SRDA) was devised as a principal organ to act as a crucial linkage in the capacity building of different agencies, viz. the Government functionaries, PRIs, NGOs and financial institutions involved in the process of local level planning for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes; to act as a facilitator to the targeted beneficiaries; to coordinate and oversee the conduct of BPL related surveys; to aid and carry out research & evaluation studies that are initiated by the centre & state government.

As required under the guidelines issued by the Government of India, the Sikkim Rural Development Agency (SRDA) which is synonymous to the DRDA, ordinarily is a society registered under the societies Registration act consisting of an apex Governing Body known as SRDA with four District Administrative Agencies (DAA) confirming to the four administrative districts of Sikkim. Each of these DAA is further sub-divided into DAA blocks and details are as under:

Sl. No Name of DAA Number of Blocks 1. East Gangtok 10 2. North Mangan 6 3. South Namchi 10 4. West Gyalshing 10   Total 36

 

Till 31.3.99, administrative cost of the DRDA were being met by way of part of the programme fund of IRDP, JRY, EAS, DPAP, etc. and with varying salary structure of different states, a new provision of "DRDA Administration" was introduced with 75:25 centre/state financial support.

The SRDA under the present arrangement is headed by the Secretary, RDD who is also the ex-officio Chairperson and each of the programme, Viz. Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS), Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) and Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) are headed by the Project Directors in the rank of Joint Secretaries with a backup support of organizational infrastructure as emphasized I the DRDA guidelines.

For the year 2000-2001 a provision of Rs 100.00 lakhs was earmarked under DRDA Administration for establishment expenditure i.e. mainly salary payment of staff under JGSY, SGY, and EAS. For year 2001-2002 a provision of Rs 100.00 lakhs is proposed.

For transforming rural India, the Government of India has introduced numerous poverty alleviation programmes for a bringing about a change. Each of the programme with its proposed financial outlay are presented below in detail.

SWARNJAYANTI GRAM SWAROJGAR YOJANA

The restructured Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) was launched on 1^st April, 1999 by amalgamating the earlier self employment and allied programmes, Viz. IRDP, TRYSEM, SITRA, GKY and MWS which are no longer in operation. It is centrally sponsored scheme and funding is shared by the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25. This programme covers families below the poverty line in rural areas with special safeguards to the SC/STs, women and physically handicapped. Subject to availability of funds, it is proposed to cover 30 per cent of the rural poor in each block in the next 5 years.

The SGSY is a Credit-cum Subsidy programme. It is conceived as a holistic programme of micro-enterprises covering all aspects of self employment, such as organization of the poor into Self Help Groups, training, Credit Technology, infrastructure and marketing.

The SGSY lays emphasis on cluster activity for which 4-5 key activities will be identified for each block based on resources, occupational skills of the people and availability of markets. Selection of key activities will be done by the Panchayats and the SRDA and will be focussed on group approach involving the organisation of the poor into Self Help Groups as well as through individual Swarojgaris identified through participatory process from among the families identified in the BPL census. The target is for setting up of 100 self help groups in the current financial year.

This programme seeks to promote multiple credit rather than a one-time credit injection by carefully assessing the credit requirement and encouraging increase in their credit intake over the years. The subsidy provision would be uniform at 30% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs 7500/- (for SC/STs, it would be 50% and Rs 10,000/- respectively. For Self-Help Groups, subsidy would be 50% of the project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs 1.25 lakh. Special emphasis is being laid on skill development of the Swarojgaris through well designed training courses tailored to the activities selected with close attention to technology and marketing needs.

The target for the current financial year 2001-2002

(1) Training 5% Rs 5 lakhs (2) Swarojgaris 3000 Groups (3) Family 1000 Families

EMPLOYMENT ASSURANCE SCHEME

The Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS) is a single wage employment programme to be implemented at the district/block level throughout the country. Special priority would be given to areas suffering from endemic labour exodus. The resources under the scheme would be shared between the centre and states in the ratio of 75:25 respectively. With the guidelines amended last year, the erstwhile demand driven scheme now stands modified as allocation based.

The primary objective of the EAS is to provide wage employment in unskilled manual works to all the able bodied adult poor in the rural areas who are in need of employment and seeking it. The secondary objective is to create economic infrastructure and community assets for sustained employment and development.

Under the scheme, activities like construction of rural link roads, community buildings and socio-economic infrastructure would be taken up.

During the financial year, 2001-2002, the state share outlay was Rs 254.00 lakhs in addition to which the central fund received.

For the financial year 2001-2002, an outlay of RS 254.00 lakhs which is at part with last financial year as the component of state share with a target to generate 4.17 lakhs man days.

JAWAHAR GRAM SAMRIDHI YOJANA & ALLIED PROGRAMMES

Under Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana & allied programmes, the principal constituents are (a) Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (b) Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) (c) Indira Awas Yojana (Convershion/Up Gradation). This anti-poverty programme is being implemented in all the rural villages of sikkim and is financed at the ratio of 75:25 by both the Centre & State Governments. An outlay of rs 76.00 lakhs is allotted during the annual plan of 2001-2002.

The detail break up of each scheme and its proposed outlay are discussed below in detail.

(a) JAWAHAR GRAM SAMRDHI YOJANA (JGSY)

Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY) is the restructured, streamlined and comprehensive version of the erstwhile Jawahar Rojgar Yojana and was designed to improve the quality of the poor. This programme was launched on 1^st. April, 1999.

The primary objective of the scheme is creation of the scheme i.e. demand driven community village infrastructure including durable assets at village level to enable the rural poor to increase opportunities for sustained employment. The secondary objective is the generation of supplementary employment for the unemployed families living below the poverty line in rural areas.

This programme is being implemented at the village level and the entire funds are distributed to the Gram Panchayat Units for taking up the programmes for maintenance of assets created and partly for the benefit of targeted SC/ST including the disabled.

During annual plan period an outlay of Rs 20.00 lakhs is proposed for implementation of the scheme in all the GPUs. The target for 2001-2002 is 3.72 lakhs Man days.

(b) INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA

Indira Awaas Yojana was carved out from the erstwhile Jahawar Rojgar Yojana and the modified version was launched from 1.1.1996. Funds for implementing these are shared in the ratio of 75:25 by the Centre and State Government.

The objective of the programme is to help in the construction of new dwelling units by members of scheduled castes/Tribes, freed bonded labourers and also non-SC/ST BPL families living in rural areas.

As per guidelines, for hilly state like Sikkim, house construction assistance to the tune of Rs 22000/- is provided to each beneficiary who are identified in the village level in the gram sabha and the area MLAs. The construction of the houses are entrusted to the beneficiaries themselves who are equally benefited with employment opportunities. Target for 2001-2002 under IAY is 736 houses.

(c) INDIRA AWAAS YOJANA (CONVERSION/UPGRADATION)

This parallel IAY (conversion/up gradation) scheme was launched recently with a view to assist the IAY target groups already having dwelling houses in the conversion and up gradation unserviceable kutcha houses into pucca/semi pucca houses. For conversion of kutcha house into pucca/semi-pucca house, uniform financial assistance of Rs 10,000/- is provided to each beneficiary. With allocation of Rs 10 lakhs the target proposed for up gradation is 1000 houses during 2001-2002.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYATS

Zilla Panchayats in each districts has already been established in all the four districts during the VIIIth Plan period. With the view to decentralize the administration at the district level it has become more necessary to provide required intra-structure in each district for convenience of administration and other development activities.

1. SIRD: Under the scheme of community development the activities of State Institute of Rural Development at Karfectar, Jorethang, also falls where State level training is imparted. The infra structure of the Institution needs to be upgraded and strengthened by providing a separate library building, play ground, staff quarters, fencing etc. Also, appointment of full time lecturers is felt needed. The present available fund is mainly incurred for payment of establishment cost of staff.

During the IXth Plan, projection has been made to upgrade the Institution and provide all the necessary infrastructure like, library building, play ground, staff quarters, appointment of full time lecturers etc,

For the Annual Plan of 2001-2002 the proposed outlay under SIRD is rs 40 lakhs which is including payment of salaries. The fund is as State share to the Institution as grant.

2. Panchayat Raj: With the implementation of Sikkim Panchayat Act, 1993, fresh election was held during 1997-98 after delimitation of Gram Panchayat units. This resulted increase in the number of Gram Panchayat units from 148 to 159 comprising of 873 Panchayat members and 92 Zilla members.

The Panchayati Raj Institutions are also proposed to be strengthened with powers and functions decentralized. For this necessary funds in form of Grants are provided to the Zilla Panchayats and 159 Gram Panchayats by the Department for meeting their administrative expenditure.

There are altogether 148 Rural Development Assistants posted in these Gram Panchayat units. The establishment cost of these RDAs mainly payment of their pay and allowances including the travelling allowances are borne under Panchayati raj Scheme. With the revision of Pay on Third Pay Commission, the burden on the above payment of pay and allowances on these RDAs have enhanced. Beside, the expenditure on these RDAs the each member of the gram Panchayat units are paid honorarium of Rs 300 to Rs 400 per month.

The Government has decided that all Panchayat offices be equipped with library for the benefit of the Panchayat members and the public. With this view in mind, projection has been made in the IX Plan period for village libraries. Under the new Panchayat Act. District Planning Committee is to be constituted which would formulate the District Plan under the District Planning Officer.

Keeping in view of the committed liabilities under Panchayati Raj the fund so provided during the past years are not found sufficient. AS for payment of honourarium to the members more than Rs 40 lakhs is found required. Besides this, funds for running the zilla offices, are to be provided as Grants. Aso the Annual Pancnayat funds of Rs 15,000/- to each Gram Panchayat unit are to be pvodied. The purchase of office furniture and library books to be done. Above all, in the year certain functions viz. Panchayat Sammelans are held and for which contingent expenditures are required. For payment of regular salaries as per revised pay scale to all rural Development Assistants and Inspectors which number to more than 150 nos., Rs 120 lakhs is required annually.

In addition to the above liabilities the Adhakshyas have been declared as Minister of State and Up-Adhakshyas as Deputy Minister., Accordingly, additional established cost to maintain these offices have emerged which includes payment of salaries of Adhakshyas Up-Adheakshyas and other expenditures including an additional liability of more than Rs 50 lakhs.

The fund allocation req ired for 2001-2002 is approved as under:—

(1) Direction & Administration (Salary of RDAs) Rs 110.00 lakhs (2) Travel Expenses Rs 2.00 lakhs (3) Office expenses Rs 5.00 lakhs (4) Other changes Rs 117.00 lakhs   Rs 234.00 lakhs

 

The break up under Other Charges are as under:—

(1) Salaries of Adhakshyas and Up Adhakshyas

(2) House rent allocances of Adhakshyas and Up Adhakshyas

(3) Discretionary grant and sumptuary allowances of Adhakshyas and Up-Adhakshyas

(4) Honorarium for 84 Zilla members

(5) Honorarium to Panchayat Sabhapatis and GPU members

(6) Panchayat fund

(7) Old liabilities to pay salaries of Adhakshyas and Up Adhakshyas

3. Since financial year 2000-2001, the component of Fiannce Commission Grant (11^th F.C) has also been made a part of State Plan Fund. Hence against the total sectoral allocation of Rs 500.00 lakhs a sum of Rs 106.00 lakhs has to be earmarked and set aside for fund under 11^th Finance Commission Grant. The fund so earmarked under 11^th F.C. grant are transferred to Zilla/Panchayats directly for Developmental activities of the programme.

4. A new and separate head-basic facilities to Gram Panchayat unit has been opened from the Annual Plan of 2000-2001 for construction of play ground including land compensation payment, up gradation of Pancayat libraries and other infrastructures in Gram Panchayat units. The fund so provided under the scheme during 2000-2001 has been transferred directly to the District. During 2001-2002 a provision of RS 35.00 lakhs has been provided.

5. Panchnayat Ghars: At the end of VIIIth Plan, 89 Gram Panchayats were provided with Panchayat Ghars and there are increasing demand of more Panchayat Ghars in other Gram Panchayats also.

During the IXth Plan period, it is proposed to construct 30 Nos. of Panchayat Ghars, 3 Nos. of Sub-Division, office complexes, one Panchayat Bhawan in the East District, 4 Nos. of community Bhawan and 4 Nos. Panchayat hostels. Zilla Panchayat Bhawans at Geyzing and Mangan have been constructed already.

The Annual Plan for 2001-2002 is Rs 85 lakhs. The Department proposes to construct four Panchayat Ghars during 2001-2002. Also the ongoing construction of Panchayat ghars wil be taken up and completed. Beside the above some major repairs were felt very necessary for which the Deparmtent has taken sanction of RS 39 lakhs during 2000-2001.

During 2001-2002, the repair of these panchayat Ghars will be taken up.

Also during year new sanction for 12 Nos. of Panchayats and one community centre has been obtained. This new sanction will taken up as spill over to 2001-2002.

Thus the target for Panchayat Ghar for 2001-2002 will be as under:

1. Repair of Panchayat Ghars for Rs 39.00 lakhs

2. New Sanction of 2000-2001

(a) 12 Nos. of Panchayat Ghars

(b) 1 No of Community Centre

3. 4 Nos of new Panchayat Ghars during 2001-2002

Play Grounds

Target: During 2000-2001 a provision of Rs 50 lakhs was there under play grounds are against this provision 25 Nos. of play ground @ of Rs 2 lakhs each has been sanctioned which will be carried over to year 2001-2002. The fund above has been transferred direct to Districts for implementation. Out of Rs 2 lakhs each. Rs 1 lakh is for land compensation for two scre land.

During 2001-2002, a provision of Rs 35 lakhs exists and Department proposes to take up 17 Nos. of play grounds.

NEW & RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY (NRSE)

NRSE is an ongoing scheme since VIIIth Plan Period. The main objectives of the scheme are emphasized in the field of saving of rural energy specially in domestic cooking and heating and also in lighting through solar photo voltaic programmes. The programmes are mainly family size bio gas plants, improved chulhas for fixed and portable form and energy plantation. During the IXth Plan period the emphasis will be given to the continuing of these programme. Besides this some minor programmes such as, bio mass gasification, water mills and other fuel saving devises will be taken up. During the IXth Plan period, the allocation earmarked for NRSE is Rs 200 lakhs. The annual plan outlay for 2000-2001 was Rs 34 lakhs.

The allocation for the financial year 2001-2002 under NRSE is 34 lakhs.

It may also be mentioned that in accordance with the guidelines of the Government of India and NRSE has now been converted into an autonomous agency known as Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA). This autonomous agency has been registered with the Land Revenue Department. All the programmes which are being undertaken by NRSE Cell will be henceforth implemented by this agency. The staff presently working in the NRSE Cell will be transferred to the Agency and no fresh or new appointments will be made. From the year 2001-2002, the present NRSE will be started functioning as SRDA and the fund provided in the State Plan Budget will be treated as Grant-in-aid to SREDA which after obtaining the approval of Govt will be transferred direct to SREDA. The target under these programmes for 2001-2002 will be as follows:

Physical Target

(1) Biogas 120 Nos. @Rs 2,800 (2) Fixed Chulhas 1000 Nos. @Rs 400 (3) Portable Chulhas 2000 Nos. @Rs 380 CPRI (8 kg) (4) Home Lighting 10 Nos. @Rs 20,000 (5) Street Lighting 5 Nos. @Rs 32,000 (6) Solar lantern 50 Nos. @Rs 5,500 (7) Direction & Administration

 

INTEGRATED RURAL ENERGY PROGRAMME (IREP)

This is also an ongoing schemes taken up during VIIIth Plan period. The objectives of the schemes are similar to those of NRSE i.e. emphasis is being given to saving of energy specially in domestic cooking and heating and also in lighting sector through solar voltaic programmes. The programmes taken up as are mainly family sized bio gas plants, improved chulhas in both in fixed and portable form and energy plantation. During the IXth Plan period emphasis will be given to the continuing of this programmes besides these minor programmes such as biomass gasification, water mills and other fuel saving devices will be taken up.

In accordance with guidelines of the Govt of India the IREP Cell has now been converted into an autonomous agency known as Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA). This autonomous agency will now look after the schemes implemented by NRSE/IREP. This agency was registered with the Land Revenue Department. The staff presently working in this Cell will now be transferred to the Agency.

Under this scheme for IREP an outlay earmarked for IXth Plan period is Rs 160 lakhs and the plan outlay for 2001-2002 is Rs 25 lakhs. The target for the current financial year has been worked out as follows:—

Physical target

(1) Biogas 100 Nos. @Rs 2,800

(2) Fixed Chulhas 2000 Nos. @ Rs 400

(3) Street Lighting 5 Nos. @ Rs 32,000/-

(4) Direction & Administration

As in the case of NRSE the fund so provided under IREP will also be transferred to SREDA.

INTER VILLAGE COMMUNICATION/RURAL CONNECTIVITY

Under this scheme, the Department mainly construct foot bridges like suspension, RCC, steel and log bridges in the rural areas for inter-village communication. As a large number of habitations in the rural areas are still without such communication the scheme is proposed to continue in the coming years.

During the IXth Plan period construction of log bridges will be minimized and more priorities will be given for construction of RCC and still bridges. During the IXth Plan the Department proposed to construct 20 Nos. of RCC bridges, 8 Nos. of suspension foot bridges and 10 Nos. of log bridges.

The scheme also includes provision for Direction and Administration and during the IXth Plan period the provision for pay revision on Third Pay Commission has also been taken into account.

From the year 2000-2001, the new programme called PMGY has come into operation in place of old Basic Minimum Services. The new programme under PMGY is for Rural Connectivity which as per Guidelines is Motor able Road.

As the above new scheme of PMGY had come only during last quarter of financial year, the fund also earmarked under Rural Connectivity for the year 2000-2001` was mainly incurred for clearance of spill over liabilities under construction of Rural Bridges. Allocation of only Rs 172.00 lakhs was earmarked for rural Connectivity which was spent for material booking against the total sanction. For the year 2001-2002, the PMGY earmarked allocation for Rural Connectivity is Rs 400.00 lakhs Beside this earmarked allocation under PMGY, allocation of RS 200.00 lakhs is under construction of Rural Bridges. This allocation under construction of Rural Bridges under State Plan will be utilized for spill over liabilities.

Thus the total allocation for 2001-2002 are as under:—

1. 3054-80-001 Direction & Admn. Rs 50.00 lakhs 2. 5054-337-77-770069-Contruction of Bridges Rs 150.00 lakhs 3. 5054-337-77-770069-Construction of Rural Roads Rs 500.00 lakhs Total Rs 700.00 kajgs

During the year 2000-2001 sanction for Rural Connectivity of more than Rs 525.00 lakhs covering more than 20.55 km roads have been obtained. Hence, the target for 2001-2002 was be:

A (1) To continue the 20.55 Km rural Road Sanctioned during 2000-2001

(2) To take up new rural Roads for 4 Km.

B For construction of Bridges.

(1) To take up Spill-over Liability of already sanctioned work

(2) New work to be taken up for:

(i) Suspension of Foot Bridges 10 Nos @ 2.00 lakhs each

(ii) RCC Bridge 10 Nos. @ 0.70 lakhs.

(iii) Steel Bridge 10 Nos. @ 0.80 lakhs.

WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION

During the IXth Plan period more emphasis will be given on sustainability of the scheme. There is an urgent need to replenish and conserve all the existing sources of water supply schemes and other water bodies is Sikkim so that these are no depleted over the coming years. Therefore, it proposed to identify and survey these water sources and register them in the name of the Department and immediate steps taken to conserve, develop and maintain them by aforestation, land development, fencing etc. Efforts shall also be made to identify and explore alternative sources of water supply, like ground water, roof water tapping, rain harvesting structures etc. to supplement existing conventional methods.

It is also proposed during the IXth Plan period that the Department to take stock of what has been achieved till date in the rural water supply sector and make an appraisal of its achievements and short comings. For this, projection will be made to survey all existing water supply and sanitation scheme so that an inventory could be prepared to monitor future augmentation/extension and maintenance. Also during the year augmentation of Namchi Water Supply Scheme is to be under taken for providing safe drinking water supply to the public of Namchi and South District.

Further, scheme under Central Pendam Water Supply Project is already under way and the preliminary survey work on extensive measure is underway.

In order to cope up with the drinking water supply to the South and Water District schemes and rain water harvesting structure are also to be implemented during the year.

The targets during the IXth Plan Period are to (a) cover partially covered areas, (b) augment the existing scheme in fully covered areas, (c) to extend the schemes to cover more villages/hamlets.

At the last quarter of the financial year, 1997-98, and during the Annual Plan of 1998-1999, the pay revision due to implementation of Third Pay Commission the expenditure under Direction & Admn. Has increased many told and for which sufficient provision are required to be earmarked under Direction and Administration.

During year 2000-2001, the allocation made uner water supply was very less compared to the previous years. Hence no new sanction were taken up whatever fund provided was utilized for clearance to old liabilities.

Further since year 2000-2001 the new scheme called PMGY has come into operation. The earmarked allocation for RDO under PMGY water supply sector was Rs 300.00 lakhs only. As against the earmarked allocation under PMGY for Rs 300.00 lakhs, the actual expenditure of the Department including Direction & Administration was more than Rs 700.00 lakhs. Thus beside PMGY allocation State Plan fund had to be provided through supplementary provision and other by adjustment within the Department grant.

From year 1998-1999 centain fund are earmarked for Zilla Panchayats. These funds are earmarked for Zilla Panchayats as per the devolution of powers to Pancyayati Raj Institution. The fund so earmarked under RWSSs are transterred to Zilla Panchayats directly and schemes are implemented direct under Zilla Pancayats. South and West District have been identified as Pilot Districts.

The Department had proposed three new head of Account under Water Supply Scheme for 1999-2000. These new Heads are one under Survey and Investigation and other Computerisation of Water Supply Records and for Laboratory. The Department has faced certain problem in the past due to lack of Survey Instruments. Since, 1999-2000 no funds were provided under survey head thus the Department proposed to include the survey head in the near future so that good number of survey instruments are procured and survey works are carried out up-to-date.

Secondly, the Government of India has already released a grants-in-aid of Rs 95 lakhs for computerisation of Water Supply Records both at HQ and at the Districts. The proposal for the scheme is already approved at end of financial year 1999-2000, the scheme for computerisation of all records under Water Supply both at headquarters and at the Districts are to be done by 2001-2002. As per the approval guide lines, against the sanction and release of fund by the Govt of India for these Computerisation programme, the State Govt is required to put State share of fund at 20% of the total sanction and fund released for recurring expenditure. Since, the programme of computerisation will be completed by 2001-2002 the state share of fund is required to be provided in the year 2001-2002. Thus the necessary provision will be provided in the Revised Budget of 2001-2002. Also a sum of Rs 2.00 lakhs has been released already by Government of India for setting up of Laboratory at the district level for testing of water. These above new schemes will be completed by 2001-2002.

The fund under Office Expenses of Head Office has been reflected as higher side due to reason that certain old vehicles in the Department needs to be replaced. Further, procurement of uniforms for Class IV employees is to be done during 2001-2002.

Beside the normal fund allocation under State Plan, the Department has also schemes under Central grant which are 100% CSS.

The usual Central scheme which is under ARWSP is a matching grant. For year 2000-2001 the matching grant from Centre under ARWSP was Rs 650.00 lakhs and actual released was only Rs 325.00 lakhs. For 2001-2002 for Rs 650 lakhs under ARWSP has been proposed which is at par with the last year.

During 1998-1999 under scheme of Non Lapsable Pool of Resource, a project for implementation of 276 Nos. of rural water supply schemes at a total cost of Rs 1350 lakcs was approved and sanctioned. The scheme is to provide safe drinking water to the partially covered habitation of 331 Nos. with a designed population of 81,800 Nos. The first release of fund under this scheme of Non Lapsable Pool of Resource was done during 1998-1999 two instalment. The first release was done for Rs 313.88 lakhs during January, 1999 and expenditure of which completed during 1998-1999. The second release of fund was done on February, 1999 for Rs 686.12 lakhs. As the second release of fund was received at fag end of the year, the expenditure of the same was carried over to 1999-2000. The final release of fund under this Non Lapsable Pool of resource scheme was done on 29/3/200 which is carried over to year 2000-2001 and the scheme will be almost completed by 31-03-2001. However if any schemes under Nonlapsable remained uncompleted necessary action will be taken to carry over these few schemes to 2001-2002 both work wise and financial.

During the third quarter of 1999-2000, the Government of India intimated the two sanctions under Pilot Project, one for South District and other under West District. As the fund under these Pilot Project received at the fag end of the year of 1999-2000, the scheme is being carried over to 2000-2001. The funds received under thee Pilot Project are Rs 244.95 lakhs for South District and Rs 363.02 for West District. These scheme under pilot project could not be implemented during 2000-2001 due to strict guide lines and also due to non finalization of certain clauses in the guide lines. Thus the entire fund received under Pilot Project was reposted or surrendered so that scheme could be continued or carry over to 2001-2002.

The break up of the Annual Plan of 2001-2002 under Water Supply are under.

I. Revenue Sector   (i) Direction & Administration Rs 177.00 lakhs (ii) Maintenance & Repairs Rs 32.00 lakhs (iii) Rural Sanitation Rs 20.00 lakhs II. Capital Sector.   (i) Village Water Supply (PMGY) Rs 746.00 lakhs (ii) Up gradation/Traditional source Development under 11th Finance Commission Grant (Earmarked Portion Rs 25.00 lakhs Total Allocation Rs 1000.00 lakhs

As per the sectoral allocation of plan fund against the total allocation of fund of Rs 1000.00 lakhs to RDD for Water Supply & Sanitation Rs 778.00 lakhs is earmarked PMGY allocation for Water Supply and Rs 25.00 lakhs earmarked for Grant Recommended under 11^th Finance Commission.

Thus the target for 2001-2002 is:

(i) To take up the spill over work of previous years.

(ii) To take up new work for 65 No of Habitations.

(iii) Under ARWSP (100% CSS): 65 Habitations.

(iv) To identify the sources and take up the source development work under 11^th F.C. grant.

SANITATION

The Rural Sanitation Scheme is an ongoing scheme. The status of the scheme as on 1/4/98 is (a) household latrines 15381 Nos., (b) institutional/community latrines 737 Nos. and (c) bathing cubicles 20 Nos. During the IXth Plan Period, it is proposed to take up 5600 units of household latrines, 200 units of institutional/community latrines, 25 Nos. of bathing cubicles and 500 units of soakage pits for the solid waste disposal, under the scheme of Rural Sanitation. In addition, it is also proposed to make the rural people aware of the importance of sanitation by organizing Gram Sabhas, seminars and by distribution of leaflets/pamphlets, posturing etc.

The funds under the scheme of Rural Sanitation are transferred to the districts/Sachivas for proper identification of the beneficiaries in the rural areas.

The proposed outlay for Annual Plan of 2001-2002 is Rs 20 lakhs under State Plan under Rural Sanitation scheme certain funds are also earmarked for direct transfer to Zilla Panchayats. Rural Sanitation programmes are also taken up under Central Sponsored Schemes for which matching grant is allocated by Govt of India. During the financial year of 2001-2002, the State fund under Rural Sanitation is Rs 20 lakhs and Central Grant is Rs 25 lakhs.

Target for 2001-2002.

(1) House Hold Latrine 150 Nos. (2) Institutional Latrine 45 Nos.

 

RURAL HOUSING

The scheme of Rural Housing is an ongoing scheme under the Department. The scheme involves distribution of GCI sheets and financial assistance to the rural people for construction of dwelling houses.

Under Rural Housing Scheme 6000 rural beneficiaries are given financial assistance of Rs 20,000/- each in two equal instalment and distribution of GCI sheets. During the year 1997-98 scheme for construction of Parajit Punarvas Yojana has been sanctioned by government and construction undertaken which is almost completed.

During IXth plan the outlay allotted is Rs 3350.00 lakhs which is not sufficient to cover the entire period of IXth five year plan.

During the year 1999-2000 beneficiaries covered was 9600. In the year 2000-2001 the second instalment payment of RS 10,000/- each was given to those 7580 Nos. of beneficiaries to whom the first instalment release was done during the year 1988-1999. During the year 2001-2002, the Department proposes to complete the release of the second instalment release of Rural Housing Assistance to those 9600 beneficiaries whom the first instalment was done during 1999-2000.

As per the sectoral allocation of plan fund, the total annual plan under Rural Housing for 2001-2002 is Rs 1900.00 lakhs. Out of allocation of Rs 19.00 crore, fund Rs 1.00 crore is earmarked for Model Villages which as per direction received is to be transferred to other Department who are involved in implementation of Model Village. The balance fund of Rs 18.00 crore to be utilized for schemes under Rural Housing as under:—

1) Second Instalment release for Rural Housing     Due for 1999-00   9600 Beneficiaries 2) Second Instalment release for Rural Housing     For 1998-99     (i) Total Beneficiaries 10554   (ii) Already released during 2000-2001 (-) 7588   Due 2966 Beneficiaries 2966 Beneficiaries Total beneficiaries to whom 2nd instalment     Of Rural Housing to be released     During 2001-02   12566 Beneficiaries GCI sheet Procurement and distribution for 9600 Nos. of beneficiaries.

ABSTRACT

Sl. No Particulars Rs in lakhs Annual Plan 2001-2002 1. Sikkim Rural Development Agency & Programme (SRDA) 100.00 2. Swarn Jayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) 50.00 3. Employment Asurance Schemes (EAS) 254.00 4. Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana & Allied Programme (JGSY) 76.00 5. Community Development & Panchayat 500.00 6. Sikkim Rural Energy Development Agency (SREDA) 34.00 7. Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP) 25.00 8. Rural Connectivity & Rural Bridges 700.00 9. 9. Water Supply & Sanitation 1000.00 10. Rural Housing 1900.00   Total 4639.00