District Rural Development Cell

Departments

Introduction

District Rural Development Agency commonly known as DRDA was merged with the Zilla Parishad from April, 2000. Thenceforth it has been functioning as District Rural Development Cell under the Zilla Parishad, Nadia.

Function

The Cell is mainly entrusted with the task of implementation of SGSY which aims at brining the rural BPL families of the district above the poverty line in a phased manner with the assistance of external facilitators like NGOs, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Self Help Promoting Institutions (SHPIs) and active participation of Panchayat functionaries and Block officials through Self Help Groups and individual Swarojgaries providing them training, credit, technology, infrastructure, and marketing facilities. Apart from the above the Cell holds money for payment of benefit under NOAPS and NFBS. Funds for the above purpose are directly credited to the Bank Account of the Gram Panchayats and Municipalities. More over, the Cell receives money for other centrally sponsored schemes like IAY, SGRY-I & II, PMGSY directly from the Government of India. Excepting PMGSY other funds are transferred to the Zilla Parishad. At present the fund for PMGSY is kept Statewise in the Bank in Kolkata

Salient features of Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana


	A poverty alleviation cum alternative employment programme

Object


	To bring the rural poor families above the poverty line by ensuring appreciable sustained level of income. The families whose per capita consumption expenditure per month is within Rs.274.35 p. will come under the purview of this.

Ambit


	Here the beneficiaries are called Swarojgaries. The programme focuses on group approach. However, individual Swarojgaries may also come under this.

Blockwise Key Activities

Name of the Block

Name of Key Activities

Karimpur-I	Horticulture(Banana cultivation; Pan(betelvine) cultivation Bidi making Sericulture Handloom Paddy Pounding Fishery Minor Irrigation Achar-jelly-pappad making Veg. Cultivation Tailoring wool knitting Pisciculture
Karimpur-II	Pan(betelvine) cultivation Sericulture Handloom Conch-shell carving Banana cultivation Poultry
Tehatta-I	Banana cultivation Rice pounding Minor Irrigation Poultry Bidi making Dairy Tailoring Weaving (handloom) Piggery
Tehatta-II	Sericulture Minor Irrigation Poultry Paddy husking Dairy Fish netting Veg. Cultivation Handloom
Krishnagar-I	Paddy husking Handloom Piggery Goatery House-hold dairy Fish net making
Krishnagar-II	Fish net making Paddy husking with cycle Handloom Piggery Poultry Bidi manufacturing Goatery Dairy Bamboo works Veg. cultivation
Nabadwip	Handloom Minor Irrigation Dairy Sree khol making Carpentry Agriculture (groundnut, banana, yam)
Krishnaganj	Handloom Minor Irrigation Poultry Paddy Processing

	Implementation


	It is implemented through groups and individuals Emphasis is given on group approach because the prospect of success is considered to be more here.



		Procedure for formation of SHG


	In the first meeting names of the group, leader, Secretary and Treasurer are to be decided. The amount of voluntary saving by a member per month is to be decided. A code of conduct is to be devised. A Savings Bank A/C is to be opened in the service area Bank Branch. The amount of savings is to be credited there regularly. Internal lending among the members of the group is to be done. Rate of interest is to be fixed by the group.

Selection of activity


	This is the most important aspect of the programme. In fact, success will depend on right selection of activity. Each Block SGSY Committee will identify about 10 activities giving proper weightage on farm activity, rural artisans and unemployed educated youths. Assistance of the Line Department Officers is to be taken for this. The District SGSY Committee will get the Project Reports prepared by the Line Department Officials.

Name of the Block

Name of Key Activities

Chapra	Rice pounding Minor Irrigation Live stock
Nakashipara	Handloom Minor Irrigation Sericulture Paddy husking Milk production
Kaliganj	Handloom Tailoring Brass metal Poultry Dairy Goatery Bamboo Basket Minor Irrigation Paddy husking Betelvine
Ranaghat-I	Paddy husking Banana cultivation Handloom Floriculture
Ranaghat-II	Floriculture Handloom Banana cultivation Fishery Pottery Silver ornaments making Furniture making Animal Husbandry
Santipur	Weaving Rice pounding Readymade garments Livestock development
Hanskhali	Rice pounding Floriculture Bamboo works Livestock (dairy, piggery, poultry, goatery) Banana cultivation Bidi binding Clay modeling Rickshaw with engine Tailoring Fishery Massionery
Chakdah	Readymade garments (tailoring & sewing & knitting); Handloom Rice pounding Poultry Veg. Cultivation Clay modeling
Haringhata	Minor Irrigation Dairy Goatery Piggery Duckery Paddy husking Mat making Basket making

	Self Help Groups


	A group may consist of 10 to 20 members. In case of minor irrigation and disabled persons this number may be from 5 to 20. All members of the group should belong to families below the poverty line (BPL). However, a maximum number of 20% and in exceptional cases, upto a maximum of 30% of the members may be taken from families marginally above the poverty line provided they shall not become office bearers and are not entitled to subsidy. A group shall not consist of more than one member from the same family. A person should not be a member of more than one group. Willful defaulters are not entitled to its benefit. 50% of the Groups formed in each Block should be exclusively for women.


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