STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF KBK DISTRICTS
The RLTAP aims at: (i) drought proofing, (ii) poverty alleviation, and (iii) improved quality of life for the local people. In order to achieve these objectives, the following strategies seem appropriate:
Building rural productive infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges,
irrigation projects, tanks, watershed development, markets,
warehouses) and conserving natural resources (e.g., forests, soils
and water).
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Developing programmes for income generation on sustainable
basis (e.g., productive rural infrastructure, SGSY, SGRY, EAS,
agriculture development, and micro-credit support).
Mobilising and energizing the rural poor (e.g., self help groups,
Vana Samrakshana Samities, Pani Panchayats, and Bhumi
panchayats).
Restructuring
and energizing social security system (e.g.,
emergency feeding programme, special nutritional programme
for children under age 3 years, mobile health units, promotion of
education among ST/SC girls).
NEW
INITIATIVE FOR EFFECTIVE PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
The State Government have taken several initiatives to improve governance and to monitor the implementation of RLTAP programmes in the KBK districts. Some such initiatives are:
Better Delivery and Governance: Strengthening the Office of the Chief Administrator.
A very senior IAS officer has been posted as the Chief
Administrator, Special Area Development (KBK) Project with
headquarters at Koraput. He is responsible for effective
monitoring and supervising the implementation of various
programmes. In addition, Revenue Divisional Commissioners,
Southern and Northern Divisions have been made ex-officio
Deputy Chief Administrators, KBK to strengthen the office
of the Chief Administrator, KBK. The State Government have
conferred higher administrative and financial powers on these
officers with a view to avoiding procedural delays and further
improving programme implementation.
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The
Chief Administrator and the Deputy Chief
Administrators, KBK shall visit and inspect or cause to be
inspected any office at the divisional district or subordinate
level under the jurisdiction in KBK districts relating to
schemes/ programmes and projects under RLTAP.
8 The Chief Administrator (KBK) and Deputy Chief
Administrators, KBK have been authorized to act as Co-
reporting Officers along with the existing Reporting Officers
as regards recording remarks in ACR of any officers up to
rank of Head of Department (HOD) and Divisional Level
Officers respectively.
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The Chief Administrator (KBK) and Deputy Chief
Administrators (KBK) have been delegated with higher financial
powers to accord administrative approval for infrastructure
projects RLTAP up to Rs.50.00 crore and Rs.10.00 Crores
respectively and the KBK Collectors have been vested with higher financial
powers to accord administrative approvals for projects up to
Rs. 2.00 Crores in each case vide Notification No 18256/F.
Dt 28/04/2006 of Finance Dept..
8 For booking of receipt and expenditure under RLTAP,
a
separate Head of Account has been put in place with specific
stipulation that the Letter of Credit issue for RLTAP Programme
shall not be diverted otherwise.
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The
KBK Collectors have also been made responsible for
effective implementation of RLTAP. Achieving financial and
physical targets under RLTAP has been made as one of the
indicators to assess their performance. As per the directions of
NHRC, all KBK Collectors and field agencies shall be communicated
quarterly physical and financial targets from April 2003-04
onwards.
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For each KBK district, a District Level Committee (DLC) under
the chairmanship of the concerned Revenue Divisional Commissioner
and ex-officio Deputy Chief Administrator, KBK has been
constituted to formulate Action Plans for the Districts as well to
review and monitor the implementation of RLTAP schemes /
programmes at the District Level.
8 An MIS format has been prescribed for better
monitoring of
implementation of RLTAP schemes. The MIS format has been
already communicated to the concerned Departments, Chief
Administrator, KBK and Deputy Chief Administrators (KBK) and all
KBK Collectors.
Transparency
and Consultations with Local People
The State Government have taken a number of steps to increase transparency in programme implementation and consultations with local people. These steps include:
All RLTAP Implementing
Departments, their field agencies, all
KBK Collectors, and Deputy Chief Administrators (KBK) have
been requested to ensure that wide publicity be given as
regards projects implemented under RLTAP. Key parameters
of relevant projects including funds utilized shall be displayed
at prominent places. This is expected to increase
transparency
and
accuntability in programme
implementation.
The
Chief Administrator, KBK, Deputy Chief Administrators,
KBK and all senior officers have been requested to hold public
hearings in the KBK districts, hear grievances of local people
and help redress their grievances including irregularities, if
any, committed in programme implementation.
With a view to increasing direct interaction with local people at
Gram Panchayat and Block levels, Gramsat pilot project has been
launched in the KBK districts. This initiative has also helped video-
conferencing with rural people of the region. The Hon’ble Prime
Minister and Hon'ble Chief Minister have also participated in video-
conferences. This programme needs further strengthening. An
outlay of Rs. 2.00 crore has been made for this purpose in the Annual Action Plan: 2003-04.
The
Special Rappoteur, NHRC and representatives of the
Planning Commission and Prime Minister’s Office shall be
periodically involved in appraising the performance of the RLTAP.
Involvement
of NGO and Panchayati Raj Institutions
The State Government intend to involve NGO of proven track
record, PRI and civil society organizations in implementation of
RLTAP schemes from 2003-04 onwards.
Concurrent
Evaluation of RLTAP
A concurrent evaluation study has been undertaken by the Institute of Applied Manpower Research, New Delhi. The draft study report has already been received by the State Government and
is under consideration.
