RURAL DIGEST English V1 11-03-2022 font size

RURAL01 02 SCuastctahinthaeblreaianssineretarslesttocrhioesrrofDrdoumtIgriuGmrhal teEaMm–iSlNnaTTdRuhEiGruAv-aDnhamarmalaaipuri Real Stories From Rural Tamilnadu 03 Ariyanendal - A Model Village Panchayat forVOL1: FEB 2022 Gray Water management 01 SSUuSsTAtaINiAnBLaEbASleSETaSsTsHeROtUsGtHhMrNoRuEGgAh-DHMARNMRAPEUGRIA- Dharmapuri 02 CCAaTtCcHhTHEthRAeINrINaRinECOinRDrTeIMcEo-rTdHIRtUimVANeNA–MTALhAIiruvanamalai 03 Ariyanendal - A Model Village Panchayat for GARrIYaAyNEWNDaALt-eArMmODaELnVaILLgAeGEmPAeNCnHtAYAT FOR GREY WATER MANAGEMENT IN FOCUS: ERODE DISTRICT

PUBLISHED BY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT, TAMILNADU Editor Mr. Praveen P. Nair, I.A.S., Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Content Team Mr. S. Saravanan I.A.S., Additional Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department Mr. S. Prasanna and District Officers Contact Us [email protected] Design created by KS SMART SOLUTION

“Development of Tamil Nadu is the development of society and this is the real development. Economy, education, social, ideology and functioning – all five must grow together. That is the Dravidian model” Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M.K.Stalin

MESSAGE FROM Honourable Minister, Thiru. K. R. Periakaruppan, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj “Villages are the backbone of a Nation’s prosperity - was the strong belief of Mahatma Gandhi. We must strive to achieve prosperity by developing the villages. For this, the amenities available in the cities should be brought to the villages as well.” Hon’ble Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi The Tamil Nadu Government under the leadership of Mr. M. K. Stalin is working to fulfil the vision of Kalaignar and Perarignar Anna. The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department plays a vital role in fulfilling this vision. Various schemes and policies of our government are formed to ensure that every family in Tamil Nadu is free from the clutches of poverty. Our programmes assure adequate and accessible wage employment, create productive individual and community assets, basic amenities, and fulfil the infrastructure and livelihood needs of the people in rural areas. The Government intends to prioritise the Sustainable Development Goals and develop strategies to focus on creating Climate Resilient Villages. The Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department has been in the forefront in designing and implementing various innovative and people centric projects and process. We have created successful models and practises in rural development which can be a role model for other states. I am happy that we are taking our initiatives, learning and practices to the world through the Rural Digest magazine. I congratulate and wish the Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department for this initiative. Hope it will be an enriching experience! Honourable Minister Thiru K.R. Periakaruppan Rural Development and Panchayat Raj

A SPACE TO LEARN FROM THE GROUND. “As the administrative system (Tamil Nadu) is highly efficient and effective, the fruits of various development and welfare schemes have reached the intended beneficiaries in big way. This has been borne out by the way the centrally sponsored schemes have been implemented. Also, the state's strong culture of local data comes very handy while planning schemes and projects.” -The Hindu, Feb 11 2022. In a recent article in The Hindu about Tamil Nadu’s success in reducing poverty, Mr. S.M. Vijayanand, the former Chief Secretary of Kerala, was quoted lauding Tamil Nadu as the best administered state with respect to the implementation of various central and state schemes in general. As the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is responsible for implementing different people oriented rural infrastruc- ture schemes for improving ‘ease of living’, it is certainly a proud moment for everyone in the department. It would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of hundreds of staff and elected representatives of Panchayat Raj, who have worked towards eradicating poverty and improving the quality of life in rural Tamil Nadu. As a mandate, our department is responsible for enhancing the quality of life by providing and sustaining basic amenities, delivering citizen friendly services and livelihood opportunities for the people living in rural Tamil Nadu. We are the first line of contact for the rural people, we understand their needs, aspiration and challenges. With this, we shape and deliver programmes and schemes that can transform rural India. Every staff in our department is resourceful and knowledgeable. For us, every single day is an opportunity to make a difference, to learn, to discover ideas, and to meet and inspire people. All our learnings need to be captured and shared with our stakeholders so as to synergise our work and scaleup best practices. I hope Rural Digest, the monthly magazine published by our department, will capture the learnings from the ground and influence our work. I wish the team all the best. Tmt. Amudha, I.A.S., Principal Secretary Rural development and Panchayat Raj Department Government of Tamil Nadu

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department of Tamil Nadu is the largest department in the state, impacting millions of rural lives. It delivers and implements central and state funded projects aimed at improving infrastructure, capacity, governance, livelihood, and economy of rural Tamil Nadu. In this process, it has created thousands of success stories, built best practices, developed insights, learned from mistakes, improved processes, and discovered inspiring leaders. These stories should be shared, recognized, discussed, and celebrated by everyone. Rural Digest is an attempt at this. We are happy to publish a monthly digital magazine which we hope to educate and inspire readers to make a positive contribution to the development of villages. The magazine will be published in both English and Tamil, keeping in mind different reader groups. It will deliver engaging content not just from the department’s work but also from professionals, academicians, and social workers who work on rural development. Another important target group we want to reach out to is the youth from urban and rural Tamil Nadu. Let us know how you feel about the magazine. Let us know if you have anything to share, suggest, or complain about. We would love to listen. Let me also take this opportunity to thank all the officers in the districts and headquarters. It is because of them that the magazine is possible. Thiru. Praveen P. Nair, I.A.S., Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, TN

CONTENT Stories In Focus-Erode Sustainable Assets Through MNREGA 01 In Conversation With 15 Dharmapuri 04 Mr. Madhubalan, I.A.S; Additional Collector Breaking Myths 06 Creating Awareness About MNREGA, 07 Thooymai Kavalar 17 Nilgiris 09 10 Innovations- How To Save Electric Bills 18 Doubling Farmers Income 11 Dug Well Stories From Kolli Hills Regaining The Respect Of Nature 19 Recharge Structures In Erode Catch The Rain In Record Time Thiruvannamalai Covid-19: How Panchayat Responded 20 Simple Solution To Reuse Water – Soak Pit From The Panchayat 25 Mayiladuthurai 26 Dream to Serve, Find Its Way Gifted Lands To Develop Tourism Unto The Last Using OSR Land In Kovalam, Chengalpettu Model Library Gold Mine In The Waste 12 Bio Gas Plant, Thiruvallur 13 Ariyanendal A Model Village Panchayat For Grey Water Management- Ramanathapuram Others CM Heart Reaches Out 21 Bridge Connecting Cemetery, Thirunelvelli 22 23 Water To Our Houses 24 JJM Tap Water To Each Houses, Madurai Rescuing Su Keenanur Tank Cuddalore Road To Development Connecting Tribal Hamlets, Trichy Best Practices From Other State’s Social Audit 27 About Rural Development 28 And Panchayat Raj Department 32 From The Past

SUSTAINABLE ASSET CREATION UNDER MNREGA Erabaiyyanahalli once had flourishing orchard spread across 42 acres; however, lack of water and maintenance laid it barren in the last decade. The effort to revive the orhard has become a passion for the district officials and panchayat leaders of Erabaiyanahallii. This is the story of the transformation. INAUGURATION OF MASS TREE PLANTATION 01

Erabaiyyanahalli Panchayat is a typical DIGGING PITS FOR MASS PLANTATION village in Dharmapuri, one of the most backward and drought-prone districts in The District Collector, Ms. Divya Dharshini, Tamil Nadu. Located in the rain shadow IAS, and the department officials assessed region of the Western Ghats, the zone the project and found the place suitable for receives only about 853 mm of rainfall plantation, as it had water tributaries flowing against the state average of 945 mm. The during the rainy season. Located between entire region suffers from water scarcity and mountain valleys, the panchayat had the out of five taluks, four are over-exploited option of harvesting water by constructing (Central Groundwater Board Report, 2009) mini dams and watersheds, which would and Erabaiyyanahalli is no different. The enrich the water table and conserve a economic condition of the region is poor due significant quantum of water. The project to poor rainfall, leading to drought in many was undertaken with an outlay of Rs. 29 lakh parts of the district. With over seventy under MNREGA in the year 2020-21. Nearly 42 percent of the population dependent on acres of land were cleared of bushes and agriculture, mostly dryland cultivation, it was shrubs and pits were dug for tree saplings as important to diversify their income sources per standard specifications. Different and improve the water table in the district, varieties of fruit plants (Mango, Badam, so that current and future livelihoods and Coconut, Guava, Gooseberry, Jackfruit, the ecology of the place are protected. To Sappota), suitable to the ecosystem, were address this, massive afforestation projects planted. Since it was a catchment area, were conceived under MNREGA. check dams to store water were also constructed at the plantation site. This would The Panchayat has a population of 8,500, improve the water table and also maintain spread across 14 hamlets. It is a barren hilly the orchard. and forest area situated in the south-west of Dharmapuri, bordering Karnataka. The Panchayat President is an enterprising leader who proposed mass tree saplings as a solution to the drought and livelihood issues. “It was once a farm, and we want to revive it. The plantation can be a sustainable asset for the villages, and can help both the people and the Panchayat. That is how the idea of planting fruit trees came about,” says R Silambarasan, Panchayat President. “If all goes well as per plan, we can even think of a mini food processing center here” says the Collector. 02

The implementation of the project was not The primary purpose of MNREGA is to protect easy; villagers had encroached the land and rural people from extreme poverty and started cultivating. With the efforts of the starvation through guaranteed work. department and Panchayat Raj members, Erabaiyyanahalli has proved that MNREGA the encroachments were cleared for the can be used to build long term sustainable project. assets for the panchayat which are profitable, equitable, and environmentally The farm was inaugurated on 3-6-2021 by friendly. the District Collector. In the last several months, 65 to 70 workers were employed WATER SHED DUG DURING THE PROJECT every day under MNREGA and 10,000 saplings were planted, covering 42 acres, using 10,000 man-days. This offered predictable full-time employment for the villagers. “We earn 1000 rupees a week; this has helped hundreds of villagers. Earlier we had to migrate to cities, and this has reduced migration partially,” says a villager. The Additional Collector Dr Vaithianathan, IAS sees this not just as daily casual work but as a livelihood project. “This is not a one-time employment; we are expecting this project will employ a minimum of sixty five people directly and also offer indirect livelihood opportunity to the villagers. Manure, compost, pesticide can all be produced locally and be used on the farm.” The department and the panchayat are exploring various ideas to make it a sustainable, profitable unit that can bring more revenue and jobs to the village. “If all goes well as per plan, we can even think of a mini food processing center here,” says the Collector. AERIAL VIEW OF PLANTATION 03

BREAKING full payment .Work on natural resources is MYTHS rarer than other work (see chart). Efforts to increase sustainable assets, like afforesta- The general impression of MNREGA work is tion, and building and maintenance of that of workers idling around a tree without culverts, drainages, check dams, and doing any work. In spite of the different reality elephant trenches, will bring more income on the ground, this image has stayed and and also protect the environment. irregularities are highlighted. This is not to claim that things are perfect; what matters is “The success of MNREGA requires ownership how we respond to criticism. The Times of from the people. We want people to own and India recently carried a news item highlight- participate in the process. Once they know ing the irregularities in the MNREGA scheme. and understand the spirit behind the The rural development department took the MNREGA program, we hope it will transform report seriously and the Principal Secretary rural ecology and economy,” says the to the Government, Rural Development & Collector. Panchayat Raj Department, Ms Amudha, I.A.S, sent a note to all district collectors to Though January was declared as the month improve the monitoring of the projects and of MNREGA, the campaign will continue to take appropriate action. spread awareness, and officers meet the people to explain about the program. “It is a Nilgiris district, which has one of the highest long process, but we are already seeing number of dependents on MNREGA, swept some changes. Yesterday, during a visit to into action immediately. The Collector, Kodamalai panchayat conoor block, a Mr. S P Amrith, IAS, convened a meeting and woman complained about low wages. The sought action plans from the team. supervisor explained that she had to dig three trenches to get full wages. Now she Mr. M. Jayaraman, Project Director, Nilgiris, knows her right, and the next time she will says, “Ours is a tribal district, with a work with commitment to demand full population spread across remote locations. wages,” says Mr. Jayaraman. We realise people are not aware of the objectives of MNREGA. Many of the issues, A step in the right direction has been taken. irregularities can be addressed if people know and make it their own program”. It was Master Work Category decided to observe MNREGA month during January to ensure that every stakeholder Rural Public Works knew about the objectives of MNREGA, Infrastucture Relating To monitoring of the work, process of Natural calculating wages, etc. 27% Resources Management Owners, not just workers 16% The campaign has three major objectives: to increase the number of man-days, to give Individual Assets full payment of MNREGA wages to the For Vulnerable workers, and to build community assets. 57%Sections The pie chart gives context to the campaign and highlights its importance. In the current year, the average payout per man-day is about Rs. 203/- while a worker has the potential to earn Rs. 273, which is the 04

THE MNREGA CAMPAIGN a. Different training programs were arranged for department staff at various levels, Self-Help Group (SHG) members, and Panchayat Raj members. b. MNREGA Pongal was celebrated across the villages to create large-scale awareness. c. Hand bills were prepared on MGNREGA provisions and distributed to MGNREGS workers at work sites. d. Work site facilitators are the key players in the implementation of this scheme. To make them more efficient, guideline on MGNREGA were distributed at work sites. PARTICIPANTS OF MNREGA PROGRAM RD, DIRECTOR DISTRIBUTING PAMPHLETS AT MNREGA SITE 05

DOUBLING Similar projects were undertaken across the state. Mr. T. Elangovan from Sengipatti FARMERS panchayat in Budalur panchayat union, Thanjavur district is a marginal farmer with INCOME three acres of land and seven cattle. Unless there is a good monsoon, he doesn’t Chandra is a small farmer owning about 5 cultivate his land due to water scarcity. acres of land in Kolli Hills, Namakkal district. She depends on rain to irrigate her land, and He was selected for the dug well scheme has no other water source. under MNREGA. “This year, I irrigated my land from the dug well and grew groundnuts, corn “The land gives me work for three months, and sugarcane. I was able to bring more and the rest of the year I depend on money to the family. I express my heartfelt MNREGA,” says Chandra. Hers is typical for thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and all every farmer in Bailnadu panchayat in Kolli other departmental staff,” says Elango. Hills. The severe water crisis, caused partly due to overexploitation of groundwater, has As a result of the dug well work, farmers were led people to depend on rain for agriculture. able to reap good harvests from their lands Being a hilly region, storing water is also an which would have otherwise remained fallow issue; in fact, at times, drinking water itself for most part of the year. becomes a challenge. Because of assured water supply cultivation In order to bring some relief to the people, the of multiple crops was made possible. This district rural development department drew has also helped in fulfilling the nutritional a detailed plan to dig wells. “Wells are an needs of the beneficiaries and their families. excellent option for increasing water avail- By ensuring food security and access to ability as well as moisture content of the soil. potable water during peak summer and It would go a long way in ensuring all-round increased farm income, the project has had livelihood support for the community as a significant impact in reducing the poverty. whole,” says Mr.Arun, Asst. Engineer, DRDA . CHANDRA IN HER FARM The villagers were consulted and involved at every step of the project, right from selection of villages to the post-construction mainte- nance is done by the grama sabha. The work was sanctioned under MGNREGS. Once the site for digging well was shown by the bene- ficiary, the digging process was carried out by MGNREGS labourers along with the bene- ficiary. The individual well was constructed with an outlay of Rs.7.48 lakh using 422 man-days in the panchayat. Assured irrigation meant increased farm productivity and farm income. Chandra, one of the beneficiaries of the program, was able to cultivate twice a year with the water from the well. “With my income from agriculture in the previous year, I could renovate my house and purchase bullocks for agriculture,” she says with pride 06

CATCHING RAINS IN RECORD TIME 07

National Water Mission’s (NWM) campaign “Catch The The total volume of one farm pond is 12,960 Rain” with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when cubic feet and 3.63 lakh litres of water can be it falls” is to nudge states and stakeholders to create stored in each farm pond, and in total, an appropriate RainWater Harvesting Structures (RWHS) additional of 40.69 crore litres of water was suitable to the climatic conditions and sub-soil strata stored during the monsoon season. before monsoon. To build the 1,121 farm ponds, 6,00,078 Under this campaign, drives to make check man-days were used, with an expenditure of dams, water harvesting pits, rooftop RWHS, Rs. 19.5 crore, of which Rs. 18.52 crore was etc.; removal of encroachments and desilting spent toward labour. A team of 11 adjudica- of tanks to increase their storage capacity; tors checked the quality of 432 farm ponds removal of obstructions in the channels which and confirmed the standard of quality. The bring water to them from the catchment percentage of acceptance was 99.7% with areas, etc.; repairs to step-wells and using only three ponds rejected for not adhering to defunct bore-wells and unused wells to put quality norms. This led to a world record with water back to aquifers, etc. are to be taken up the title, “Most farm ponds created at multi with the active participation of people. locations in 30 days.” This was awarded to the district collector and additional collector This campaign was on mission mode in (development) on 14.09.2021. Thiruvannamalai district. The department has dug a record 1,127 farm ponds in just 30 days! A “Master Mind” certificate was given to The district has been awarded by various Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble ministers and agencies such as Elite World Records, India respected officials during a ceremony Records Academy, Asian Records Academy, organized by the World Record Institution. and Tamilan Book of Records. The farm pond has brought definite benefits A farm pond is a dug out structure with to the farmers. The groundwater level has definite shape and size having proper inlet increased by seven feet across the district, and outlet structures for collecting the surface and there has been an increase in cultivable run off flowing water from the farm area. It is area and farm productivity. one of the most crucial rainwater harvesting structures constructed at the lowest portion of The Chief Secretary to the Government of the farm area. It can support wildlife habitat, Tamil Nadu has lauded this project and on reduce soil erosion, improve watershed health, his directive, many other districts have taken increase poverty values, and provide a place up this project. for recreational and livelihood activities like AWARDS fishing. In spite of its benefits, it was not easy to convince farmers to convert cultivable land to AERIAL VIEW OF FARM POND farm ponds. “We launched a motivational campaign across the district. A few farmers showed interest and we started our pilot project. Fortu- nately for us, it rained, and all the ponds filled to capacity, and it convinced other farmers to apply for the project,” says Mr.Siva Kumar, ADRD. Once the farmers were convinced, the scheme was inaugurated by the district collector on 12.08.2021 at Seelapandal Village in Thurinjapuram Block. Simultaneously, work began in 591 panchayats to construct 1,197 farm ponds. The month target was fixed to ensure all ponds were constructed before the monsoon. 08

SOAK PIT - SIMPLE SOLUTION TO REUSE WATER On an average, a household needs about 250 liters of water every day, for washing, bathing, cleaning, etc. This water is let out in the open in rural India, where there is no drainage connection to treat it. This is a potential source of water-borne diseases. Simple soak pits can address this issue and also recharge water bodies. For a cost of less than Rs. 10000, a pit loosely filled with boulders and pebbles can percolate about 200-300 litres of water per day, deep into the soil, keeping the surroundings clean & dry. As water is absorbed, it increases the ground water table. The movable sieve filters at the mouth of the pit helps frequent removal of the solid wastes and makes it easy for maintenance. District rural officials of Kollidam block, Mayiladuthurai district, took up the initiative of constructing individual and community soak pits in Thirukarukavoore under MNREGA. With a budget of Rs. 69 lakh this year, so far, 503 pits have been constructed. The project has helped the village collect 4,000-5,000 liters of waste water every day from all the water collection points i.e. wells, hand pumps and public taps, apart from keeping the place dry and clean. DIFFERENT PICTURES OF SOAK PIT 09

GIFTED LANDS TO DEVELOP TOURISM HOW IT HELPED ATTRACT TOURISTS TO KOVALAM The Kovalam beach near Mamallapuram is approach roads, was concerned. It was at this one of the most popular tourist destinations in time that they realised that Open Space Tamil Nadu. Recently, it received Blue Flag Reservation (OSR) lands can be used for this certification, a world-renowned eco-label purpose. OSR land is usually reserved for certification for beaches, marinas, and boats. developing parks, playgrounds, recreational The certification is based on thirty-three facilities for public use. criteria, including water quality, especially with respect to the presence of e-coli in the A land survey was carried out, and OSR lands water. It was a proud moment for the district. with Survey No. (62/1A PT), 1134.00 sq.m, and Survey No. (57/3C), 1464.65 sq.m, which were Getting certification was not an easy task and given to Kovalam Panchayat as a road gift had its tense moments. After completing deed and park gift deed, respectively, were almost all infrastructure, it was found that identified. This led the administration to there was no proper approach road and extend the survey to all eight blocks in the parking space for tourists, creating district. It was found that CMDA has 109.49 inconvenience to tourists and fishermen. It acres of parkland and 145.75 acres of roads, was one of the major stumbling blocks to and DCTP has 255.26 acres of parkland and receive the certification. 536.23 acres of roads of OSR lands. The district administration, which was The district is now planning to use this OSR responsible for providing parking and land optimally for the public. AERIAL VIEW OF PARKING SPACE AT KOVALAM 10

MODEL LIBRARY “IF YOU HAVE A GARDEN AND A LIBRARY, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED.” Marcus Tullius Cicero FRONT VIEW LIBRARY ronment of society. Once the newly renovated library was opened, the villagers responded It is a blistering afternoon, but as you enter the with great enthusiasm. Local philanthropists community library in Velichanatham Village, have donated books and sponsored daily Madurai, you are buffeted by a gust of cool newspapers and journals. With their help, the breeze wafting through its open portico. About library has multiple racks of books, maga- a dozen youngsters are engrossed in their zines, newspapers, journals, and a separate books, reading on brand-new desks. The section for competitive exams. The revamped library’s iron shelves have books for various library has an open space reading facility, a competitive examinations. It is the favourite ramp for the disabled, toilets, and a rainwater place of many youngsters in the village. harvesting system. “We spend most of the time here, preparing for Libraries are often used by students as a study various competitive exams,” says Adhi Sankar center, and its quiet atmosphere, surrounded B.A.B.L., and UPSC aspirant, who visits the by trees, gives them the right environment to library daily. He adds, “I had no place to study concentrate on their studies. at home. A lack of libraries and a place to study put students in and around this village at a The major beneficiaries of the library are the great disadvantage. I am happy it is no longer aspirants of government employment. Many the case in our village.” in the villages cannot afford private coaching or books that are required to prepare, and a Though the library has been functioning for fully equipped library right in the village has years, the library building had a deserted look been a boon to these youths. and hundreds of books worth lakhs of rupees were gathering dust. The panchayat decided Libraries can create social, educational, and to transform it. cultural transformation in villages. Adhi cap- tures this change when he says, “Earlier, elders would ask the boys and girls to go home if they are seen loitering around, but today they ask them to go to the library. They may be illiterate, but they know the importance of a library. A good library is like a virus.” In 2021, modernization of this library was taken up in under the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam 2.0 (AGAMT 2.0) at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 lakh. The objective was to give school and college students, and aspi- rants of competitive exams a welcoming space to study. A good physical library, even in the digital age, is a social asset for a community. It can shape the intellectual and social envi- EXTERNAL READING SPACE IN GARDEN AREA 11

GOLD MINE estimated that the panchayat can save close IN WASTE to Rs.25,000 per month. As a byproduct, the plant produces 2 kg of good quality organic Each household generates enough bio waste manure for the use of farmers in the district, which can be converted into fuel: food we thereby encouraging organic farming. throw, waste from vegetables, meat, and cow dung. Such organic waste is available Projects with foresight can transform villages. aplenty in villages. A single biogas plant has increased the income, managed waste, improved water Eco Park is the novel initiative by the quality, generated clean fuel, and improved Tiruvallur District administration, which the health of the villages. promoted an innovative waste management system at Varadharajapuram Panchayat in Poonamallee Block. The village has 920 households with a total population of 4,300, and a livestock population of 320 cattle. For the last two decades, the prime source of income for the village has come from diary products, rendering the village ideal for a biogas plant. Villagers flush out cattle waste on the road and to the village pond, contaminating the pond and causing serious health and sanitation hazards for the entire village. As the village is located amidst urban area, there is no scope for grazing or green manure management. STREET LIGHT USING BIOGAS To address this issue and make use of the DIFFERENT PICTURES OF BIOGAS community assets a biogas plant was constructed in the village under Solid Waste Management plan for an amount of Rs. 60 lakh, dovetailing from the three tiers of local bodies. The plant was set up with an operating DIFFERENT PICTURES OF BIOGAS capacity to process 2,000 kgs of cow dung/- food waste per day, generating 200 units of power every day. Currently, it produces 50 units, which helps light the streetlights of the village. As plant feeding increases, more streetlight connections can be added, and it is 12

ARIYANENDAL - A MODEL VILLAGE PANCHAYAT FOR GREY WATER MANAGEMENT Ariyanedal Village is becoming a model Other successes: village for grey water management. The panchayat has implemented 100 per cent Before 2012, toilet coverage in the village end-to-end management of greywater. was merely 10 per cent. The village was From unpleasant living conditions, the surrounded by Prosopis Julifiora, an invasive village has transformed into a green and species. People defecated near the Prosopis clean village. jungles and wild scrub trees and as a result of the unhygienic environment and poor The village panchayat comprising two personal hygiene, water-borne diseases hamlets-Ariyanendal and Vagaikulam-is were rampant. As a first step, 23 acres of the one of 39 in Paramakudi Block, Ramanatha- jungle areas were cleared and converted puram district, on the Madurai - into cultivable land by the DRDA. Further, Rameswaram National Highway. massive tree plantation activities were carried out, converting the barren land to a Of the total 761 households, 285 homes were beautiful forest. This initiative took away the covered under individual soak pits, 83 under open defecation areas traditionally used by kitchen garden, 268 under community soak villagers in their vicinity. People began to pits, and 124 under drainage. The District use the toilets that were constructed. Rural Development Agency laid 1,100 metres of sewage pipelines and vertical public Much work is also being done in solid waste suction pits at five places at the end point of management. People have become used to the pipelines to carry the grey water to the segregating waste at source and the waste community soak pits. This resulted in the collectors convert wet waste into compost narrow streets becoming cleaner. and suitably dispose of non- biodegradable waste including plastic waste. The village With the ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission project has bought a plastic shredder machine with in the village, the next objective is to ensure the financial support of Rs. 33000 from 100% access to safe drinking water, clean and safe environment. Ariyanedal Village is on its way to creating one more model. DIFFERENT PICTURES OF INDIVIDUAL SOAK PIT 13 SHREDDER MACHINE

IN FOCUS ERODE 14

IN CONVERSATION WITH MR MADHUBALAN, I.A.S ADDITIONAL COLLECTOR, ERODE. Madhubalan is a young IAS officer from the village and finish all the welfare activities. The batch of 2018. He did his engineering in Easwari only way was to walk or wait for pickup jeeps. Engineering College and joined as the Sub Everything had to be taken from the plains, Collector, Cuddalore in 2018. Currently, he is and the steep rough path made it difficult and serving as Additional Collector, Erode, driving costly. A road was essential. We had to reach rural development activities. We spoke about out to the head of the forest department to get various initiatives of the department in the sanction for the road. It was a satisfying district. moment.” The road was inaugurated by the chiefminister in the month of January. That Of the many activities undertaken in the could bring government programs to the district, he mentions constructing a road to village. Like Kathirimalai, 24 hamlets without Kathirimalai, a remote hilly hamlet in Bargur connecting roads were identified, and in six of Panchayat of Anthiyur Union as memorable. them, construction of roads has commenced, People have to traverse rough hilly terrain for 8 with others in different stages of execution. kilometres on foot to reach their hamlet. Eighty tribal families, comprising 294 members, Madhubalan has always had a special interest belonging to the Solaga community are living in tribal people. During his stint as sub collector there for more than 150 years., The village had in Chidambaram, he took the initiative to get no motorable road. members of the Irula tribe their tribal certificate, houses, electricity, scholarships, and many more welfare measures, for the first time. After he moved to Erode as additional collector, his responsibility has widened, and so has his vision. After a long struggle, the district administra- CONSTRUCTION OF GREEN HOUSE tion is now laying a motorable road. The village is in the reserved forest area of Chennampatti forest range. The forest department objected to the construction. “Without roads, we can't take any effective development activities there. It takes about three hours to reach [there]. Earlier, the entire district administra- tion from rural to education departments would decide on a date and trek up to the 15

“The Rural development department has there itself. Similarly, the possibility of smaller larger scope; we can impact 50% of the total bio-gas plants and solar power were all population in the district through different explored when he was in the field with people. schemes. We need to identify the right project, demand, and beneficiaries to make a Panchayat Raj institutions are an important difference,” he says. Under the collector and pillar of rural development department. It is his leadership, the district is experimenting here that most projects converge. Erode has with different ideas to effectively reach the rural, semi urban, and tribal panchayats. unreached. Talking about his personal vision, he said he wanted the villages to be ODF Plus. Mr Madhubalan spoke about the pancha- (ODF Plus, or Open Defecation Free Plus yat’s role in bringing participation of people. villages should have minimal litter, minimal “The elected representatives are with the stagnant, wastewater, no plastic waste people; they have many doubts about dumped in public places, and a proper solid schemes; representatives help them under- and liquid management system.) stand. And some panchayat presidents are proactive. For example automation of street “Villages don’t have drainage; it is common lights in Kathirampatti panchayat of Erode to see them flush out water on road. We want Union was completely the initiative of the to ensure that at least two villages in every president of the panchayat.” block reach ODF Plus status by the end of March.” Work for the same is ongoing in 28 Mr. Madhubalan says that the secret of a panchayats of 14 blocks. successful project/scheme is to involve people, incentivize the process, and thorough detailing in execution. However, he also warns us not to over-promise without backing with data, “Our words can create impact, and if we are in doubt we shouldn’t commit. It may lead to false hopes. Our word is our promise; we should live up to that,” he says. Mr Madhubalan thanked his proactive RD team of Erode who is supportive of all his initiatives. The department is proud to have such young officers who are driving welfare at the grassroot level. COLLECTOR DISTRIBUTING WELFARE ITEMS BIOGAS PLANT Mr Madhubalan starts his day at 9:30 am. He spends three days in the office and three days in the field. “It is only when I meet people can I actually assess the real need and come up with a solution,” he says. For example, in Kathirmalai, it was difficult to transport bricks for the construction of the houses, and during one of his visits, it was decided to make bricks 16

THOOYMAI KAVALAR GROUP PHOTO OF THOOYMAI KAVALARGAL Varadharajan, Bhavani Block coordinator, sanitation, calls the Thooymai Kavalar (waste collectors) “Akkas” as the pillar of his strength. His team in Mylampadi Panchayat, Bhavani block, Erode manages 175 kilos of waste every day. The team not only keeps the villages clean; they also earn revenue for the government. He introduced me to two of his Akkas, Shanti, and Muniamma, who have been working as Thooymai Kalavar since 2015 in Mylampadi Panchayat. The panchayat is one of the largest, with a population of close to 11,000 and about 15 Thooymai kavalars manage the waste. Their work begins at 6:30 am, and they collect waste from the houses till 10:30 am, and then start segregating the waste. “I like this job. Once we segregate, we start working in the farm.” says Shanti Akka. At first, I thought they would go back to their farms, but when Varadharajan corrected me saying “We have our own kitchen garden,” I was pleasantly surprised. The organic waste they collect is used to produce three to four kilos of vermicompost and sold to local farmers at a cost. The panchayat president suggested that they start a kitchen garden in the 8-cent (about 3,500 sq. ft) panchayat land. “Every alternate day we harvest about 8 to 10 kilos of vegetables, which we divide among ourselves,” say Shanthi and Muniaamma Akka. “Sometimes I also get,” adds Varadharajan. They have been given a target: to collect 400 tons of plastic waste which can be used in the construction of roads. Varadharajan and his team are proud of their work. What they do is immeasurable, and there are thousands of such “guardians” across Tamil Nādu who work to keep our locality clean and healthy. The least we can do is reduce their burden by segregating waste at the source. KITCHEN GARDEN 17

INNOVATIONS SMART way to reduce electricity bills. What we can learn from the Erode experience. Every year, the panchayats in Tamil Nādu pay To avoid wastage in the supply of water, the about Rs. 1,000 crores to TANGEDCO (Tamil water requirement for each household was Nadu Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution assessed. As per government norms, each Corporation Limited) for electricity, and this is individual is eligible to get 55 liters of water 35% more than the money they receive for the every day, and based on this norm the total electricity. This excess amount stands as requirement of each household was calculat- arrears every year. It was found that at least ed. The meter attached in the over head tanks 20% of the energy is wasted on streetlights (OHT) calculates the time taken to fill the during days and on overrun motors. required amount of water, and automatically turns off after the specified time. To address this issue, Kadhirampatti Panchayat in Erode district developed a In a month after the pilot, the panchayat was technological solution to effectively manage able to save Rs. 50,000 on electricity bills and control consumption. “We have to pay alone, i.e. 30% of the cost. Similarly, the water about 3 lakhs for water and electricity every supply was rationalized. By just spending Rs. month; our deficit is about one lakh fifty 2.23 lakh for the installation and Rs. 90,000 for thousand rupees every month. Outstanding maintenance, it is estimated that the pancha- payment to the electricity board and TWAD is yat could potentially save close to Rs. 7 lakh on over 50 lakh rupees. We had to take some electricity bills alone. measures to reduce the bill, as we are not able to spend on other development work,” The success of the pilot project has inspired says the Secretary of Kadhirampatti the Rural Development Department to expand Panchayat. this to other panchayats in the state as well. If expanded to all the panchayats, hundreds of As a pilot, the panchayat developed a crores of rupees will be saved, and can software to control the streetlights and water potentially be invested in other development pumps, which was being done manually. The work. manual system was not very reliable. As a first step, streetlights and water tanks were surveyed and mapped. Each connection was fitted with PSDAS, (PS DAS-Photonic Supervisory Data Acquisition System is a hardware cum software enabled system which helps to control and monitor the entire street lighting system), which has astronomi- cal timer, Arduino GSM sim, PCB and meta cabinet. Through the app, it is easy to operate streetlights and water tanks remotely. The app’s dashboard gives information about consumption, streetlights in operation, and default lights, which makes it easier to control. 18

REGAINING THE RESPECT OF NATURE Erode is gifted with three major rivers: Cauvery, Bhavani and Noyyal. The Cauvery basin contributes several tributaries viz. Bhavani, Noyyal, Uppar, Vattamalaikarai , Shanmuganadhi and Nallathangal Odai, all of which drain into Cauvery. Irrigated by canals and wells, Erode has thriving agriculture, swathes of turmeric fields, tapioca, sugarcane, coconut and drumstick farms. This gift is being wasted away, and SAND FILTER FARM POND ground water in almost all the blocks of Erode is either overexploited or critical. If ROOF TOP SUNKEN PIT the monsoon fails, even drinking water WATER becomes a challenge. With climate TRENCH change, and overexploitation of water HARWESTING CUTTING resources, Erode was facing a depressive IN BARREN future unless drastic measures were FALLOW LANDS taken to improve the water level in all the blocks. The effort had to be substantial, holistic, and comprehensive. The district administration, under the guidance of the chief secretary, designed a detailed plan to harvest maximum rain during the Northeast monsoon in all 14 blocks of the district. Of these, in seven blocks, ground water levels were over exploited and critical. Different recharging structures under a Jal Jeevan Mission called “Catch the Rain” and special drives for augmentation of groundwater under MGNREGS were planned for September. Seven types of water recharge structures were proposed and targets given to the blocks. In just about three months, 2,084 water recharge structures were built with a budget of Rs. 645.79 lakh, of which labour cost was about Rs. 550 lakh. Around 65% of the structures were built in critical blocks. This massive effort was undertaken with the support of different departments, Panchayat Raj and the communities. In total, these structures can store up to 23 crore litres of water every year. Focussed and coordinated efforts in coming months will improve the water level in all critical areas. 19

COMBATING COVID –19, TOGETHER Experience from Velepalayam and Emmompondi Panchayat: Emmompondi Panchayats- Erode. Similar to Velepalayam, the Emmompondi pancha- yat formed different groups: COVID Monitoring Erode was one of the first districts to report cases of Committee, and created a Panchayat Level COVID COVID during the first wave, and was fast becoming Care Centre. Some of the special initiatives of the a hotspot in the second wave. Villages of Erode panchayat were: managed the situation with alacrity and were able to contain the spread of the virus. Here is the story of two such villages in Gobichettipalayam: Velepalayam and Emmompondi. Collective responsibility: The Village President undertook door-to-door COVID surveys under the supervision of the secre- tary. Those who had symptoms were tested and COVID-positive patients were quarantined. A Panchayat-Level COVID Care Centre (PLCCC) was Livelihood Activity: established with basic facilities for COVID positive The panchayat conducted orientation programs for patients who could not be quarantined at home. workers on workplace conduct during COVID. The PLCCC was monitored by the team comprising MNREGA work was assigned to those below 55 years the panchayat president, VAO, police and VHN. It of age, and complete COVID safety protocol was provided food and sanitary items to all the in followed in the work area. patients with the help of local NGOs. A Village Panchayat Team was formed to take preventive During lockdown, the panchayat arranged loans for measures. The team met every week and reviewed SHG groups for members to buy vehicles for mobile the work. vegetable grocery shops. Power of Social Media Ensuring Food Security: At the panchayat level, a WhatsApp group was With the help of NGOs, the panchayat purchased formed to share information about the COVID-19 vegetables and other food items, which were situation. Videos and posters with instructions on distributed through Panchayat-level federation. wearing masks, handwashing techniques using Special groups like elders and disabled were sanitizers, steam inhalation, gargling with salt water, covered as well. Around 450 families belonging to etc. were shared periodically. Volunteers used the SC/ST and Below the Poverty Line were identified WhatsApp group to track the availability of beds in and provided rice and vegetables. PHCs, government hospitals and private hospitals, and directed the patients. Free rice, pulses and other Containment Zone: food items were provided from the Panchayat Habitations having more than eight active COVID President Fund for sanitation workers and elders in patients are considered containment zones. These the village. zones were sealed by the monitoring committee and outsiders were prohibited from entering the zone. Right from the beginning, both villages planned and executed COVID prevention strategies well. COVID RELIEF MATERIALS 20

WHEN My name is CHIEF Johnson, and I MINISTER live in Thottakudi REACHED Panchayat, in OUT TO US. Nanguneri block, Tirunelveli district. There was is a wild stream across the road from our BRIDGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION colony, on the way to the cemetery. During the rainy season we were not able to take our dead to the cemetery. We had to use a long 3-km route and it has put us through great inconvenience. We petitioned the District Collector to con- struct a bridge across the stream. Within a few months the collector ordered construction of a bridge under the MNREGA through the Rural Development department with the budget of Rs. 16.40 lakh. The bridge has helped 240 families who live in the village. Today, we are relieved that we can give our dead a decent send off. We thank the honourable CM for his prompt and quick greivance redressal. BRIDGE AFTER CONSTRUCTION 21

SAFEWATER AT THE DOORSTEP Water at the doorstep does not just mean safe water, it also means more time to study, more time to be productive, and more time for rest for women and children. Children and women of Vadugapatti Panchayat, Alanganallur Block in Madurai have to walk around a kilometer and wait to get their share of water from the public tap. While the village has sufficient water, none of the houses have tap connections. This was a problem for the villagers, and especially for the elders, differently abled, and pregnant women, who had to depend on others for water. This aside, public taps pose additional challenges, as taps are often broken, a lot of water is wasted without any attention, and importantly, water stagnates, inviting water-borne dis- eases. If individual connections are given, these issues can also be resolved. With these objectives in mind, the district department conceived a plan to provide individual water taps to all the households in the village. The project was launched under Jal Jeevan Mission in 2020. In Phase 1, nearly 336 households were provided with piped water supply at their doorstep, at an estimated cost of Rs. 22.43 lakh. Today, each household receives about 55 LPCD (litre per capita per day) of water and the village was able to save 50,000 litres of water per day by rationalizing supply and reducing waste. The project has indirectly benefited village youths by providing jobs as well. DIFFERENT PICTURES OF TAP WATER 22

RESCUING Su KEENANUR TANK Su. Keenanur Village Panchayat, Cuddalore \"The co-operation from the local district, is regularly affected by floods during people, farmers, and coordination of the North East Monsoon (NEM). It is a catch- officials from Rural Development and ment area and rainwater from the Neyveli Revenue departments, and NLC was Lignite Corporation (NLC) mine is drained into crucial in getting this project the village tank. The tank has been acting as a completed well before the rains this buffer for storing excess rainwater from upper year. This project is going to help more catchment areas. However, over the years, 14 than 1500 people of the village and I feel acres of 35 acres were encroached by the happy that I could do my bit in its villagers and converted into agriculture land. successful execution,” says the The tank lost its capacity to receive surplus Panchayat president of water during the monsoon and it flooded the Su. Keenanur. village, affecting more than 200 people. Execution of bund formation in association with NLC The Block Development officer issued notices to twelve encroachers and the survey of the total tank was done by the revenue depart- ment in just days. With the help of NLC and panchayat functionaries, the tank was restored to its original capacity. This recovery of 14 acres further protects the village from seasonal floods during NEM and protects inundation of agriculture land and houses of 50 families. Increased storage capacity helps additional drinking water for cattle and livestock of the village in dry seasons of the year. The tank will be now taken up for desilting in the recovered 14 acres and planned for developing it as a model tank in association with NLC by May 2022. Arial View Of The Su.Keenanur Tank After Execution Of The Project 23

ROAD FOR ROAD CONNECTING BONTHAI AND RAMANATHAPURAM DEVELOPMENT Well-connected roads are key for the development of a village. In fact, it is the first sign of development. Good roads can bring income, increase enrollment in schools, improve health con- ditions, and bring employment opportunities. Roads to tribal hamlets are even more critical to bring the government to them, as reaching out them is often difficult. Tribals living in the Bonthai and Ramanathapuram hamlets with about 200 households in Patchamalai Hills in Tiruchirapalli district have no access to some of the basic amenities, due to lack of pucca roads. Bothai village has no school, and children have to travel to Ramanathapuram village for education, but there is no direct road between these villages. The existing route to the village is about 15 kilome- tres. “Children trek through the mountain, traversing small passes to reach school. It was a dangerous route and we always worried about the safety of the children,” says Ms. Kousalya, secondary grade teacher, Government Tribal Residential School. A road connecting Bonthai and Ramanathapuram was proposed by the district administration, at an estimated cost of Rs. 237.40 lakh, under Link roads in Tribal areas scheme. This has reduced the distance by 13 kilometres. “The road ensured safe journey to us and our children. Today it is easier to take our goods to market, and access all other government facilities’,” says a parent. Aerial view Bonthai and Ramanathapuram 24

A DREAM TO SERVE WILL FIND ITS WAY. What we learn while preparing for UPSC never goes waste. Even if one doesn’t succeed, the passion and drive to serve people lingers on in every aspect of life. “I prepared for eight years; I didn’t succeed. But UPSC has never left me. You start thinking differently, you really want to do something for society. That is why I contested in the election,”says S.P. Anandhan, Panchayat President of Poolanur, Kodaikanal, Dindigul Anandhan is an engineering graduate from the batch of 2012. For seven years, he prepared for the UPSC exam and taught geography to USPC aspirants in Vatalagundu. It was when the election for local bodies was announced that he decided to contest. “My father was a notorious alcoholic; that itself made me popular. They were happy that a boy from such a background grew well. I won by 150 votes,” says Anandhan. Poolathur panchayat is relatively rich, its cash crops and groves bring money to the panchayat. “We depend on good monsoons. We need water and road to the farms to make the best use of it. My goal is to have roads to the farms so that it becomes easier for the armers,” says Anandhan. A good part of his tenure has gone in managing COVID, and now he has started focusing on development activities. Bringing water to each household, building housing, and laying roads are his priorities. But his heart lies in education. He wants every child to know about the constitution and have the best education possible. “Today we can get the best from any where through the internet. Our boys should know to compete. We should prepare them for the world,” says Anandhan. Panchayat Presidents like Anandhan can bring resources, knowledge, and good governance to the villages. 25

UNTO THE LAST How Panchayats are serving the last man. Nandakumar Siva Sittilingi is a beautiful tribal village panchayat People working under MNREGA located in the Arur Block, Dharmapuri District. We had gone to Karapadi, a small hamlet of the Sittilingi panchayat, passing through the rough trek up a steep hill about 50 km from the Panchayat office. We could see newly erected electric poles on both sides of the road and people busy with their MNREGA work New electric poles and 100-day jobs are usual sights in any village. What is so significant about this village, one may wonder. But it is a wonder for the people in Karapadi, as the village got wired electricity only in 2020 and 100 day work programme was first implemented fifteen years after the MGNREGA was enacted. The village has got more than 40 green houses as well. All of these in recent years. For the villagers it was not easy to make their voice heard outside their habitat. For them to effectively articulate their demand in the assembly and parliamentary election is diffi- cult. This where the role of panchayat becomes important. All these changes were made possible only after the Sittilingi pancha- yat took the initiative. They compiled the list of demands and ensured the state and the cen- tral schemes were effectively utilized to meet the legitimate needs of the people. Similar efforts can be seen in Adigathur Pan- chayat, Kadambathur Union, Tiruvallur District. One can see the beautiful houses for the nomadic tribe called Nari Kuravar in the village. They are nomadic and their custom is to travel from place to place living on the road side and under the bridges. The Panchayat created awareness among them and built a new settlement for them in the panchayat. This has brought new hope in the lives of the nomadic tribe. The Constitution of India sets two main goals for the Panchayat, social justice and econom- ic progress. These two panchayats have shown us that the role of the Panchayat is very important in providing an administration for the common people and making a difference in their lives. 26

ENSURING INCLUSIVE SOCIAL AUDITS Introduction: to ensure that MGNREGS works benefit all community members. The key questions that Under Section 17 of MGNREGS, independent these social audits aim to answer include: social audits of all the projects under the scheme taken up within the Gram • What is the status of the timely delivery of Panchayats are required to happen every 6 the entitlements and provisions under months, carried out by a third party. These MGNREGS including job cards, works, worksite audits are required to be participatory, facilities, and wage payments? including all village members, to ensure that MGNREGS works are being carried out • Are these entitlements and provisions being inclusively, fairly, and in line with annual delivered without any discrimination to plans. various social groups? In addition, social audits may also bring to • Is the process of planning for works being light many of the challenges faced by socially carried out in a participatory and non excluded groups in accessing or using the discriminatory manner? assets that are built, such as water pumps, irrigation systems or village services, due to • What are the assets that have been discrimination against them. created by MGNREGS works and how many of Background: these assets are functional? The conventional practice of conducting • How many of the assets were created social audits is often restricted to discussions directly to benefit socially excluded commu- on finance. Against this backdrop, the Poorest nities and help them to improve or enhance Areas Civil Society (PACS) Programme, an their livelihood opportunities? initiative of the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) devel- • Do socially excluded communities have oped a new way of auditing in 2014 which non-discriminatory access to the use and went a step further - not only looking at the benefits of the community assets created financial aspects of MGNREGS works but also under MGNREGS? assessing issues such as the provision of worksite facilities, timely payments and how • What is the status of formation and much socially excluded communities benefit functioning of the MGNREGS Vigilance and from and are included in MGNREGS plans. Monitoring Committee and how inclusive is it? Details of the Intervention: PACS first launched its social audit trial in 200 Gram Impact: Panchayats in 20 districts of Bihar and Jharkhand. Due to its success, the campaign In many States including Jharkhand, Bihar was up-scaled to all 7 PACS states covering and Uttar Pradesh, the State Government has 60 districts. now accepted the approach and model of PACS, carrying out social audits that include PACS trained 80 master trainers and 425 the participation of excluded communities. community facilitators to lead the social This has also opened up the possibility of audit process–the master trainers are many Civil Society Organisation (CSO) responsible for training community-based becoming resource groups and partnering individuals to carry out social audits in the with the government-led social audit field. In total, 593 inclusive social audits were process. PACS has also been recognised by carried out in Gram Panchayats and villages the Government of India's Ministry of Rural Development and is a named member on its Master Trainers list. 27

ABOUT RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT RAJ DEPARTMENT The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is responsible for the implementation of various Centrally-sponsored, State-funded and Externally-aided schemes for poverty alleviation, employment generation, sanitation, capacity building, women’s social and economic empowerment, apart from provi- sion of basic amenities and services. The Department is also entrusted with the responsibility of enabling the various Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) to function as effective units of Local Self-Government. There are 12,525 Village Panchayats, 388 Panchayat Unions (co-terminus with Blocks) and 36 District Panchayats Central Schemes Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) MGNREGA, is a Labour and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing employment for 100 days a year per household. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) The right to adequate housing is recognized as a basic human right by United Nations. PMAY-G aims at providing pucca houses with basic ameni- ties to all poor houseless households and households living in huts and dilapidated houses in rural areas. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched which aims at providing water supply to every household in adequate quantity (55 lpcd) and prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis by March 2024. 28

Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) In the year 1993, the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) was launched by the Government of India which pro- vides funds to MPS for infrastructure facilities and bridging the gaps existing in the infrastructure facilities in rural and urban areas. The annual alloca- tion under MPLADS is Rs.5 crore per constituency. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) The objective of PMGSY was to provide all weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations of population more than 500. The Upgradation of existing damaged rural roads was also carried out under this scheme. Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) – SBM(G) Phase II The Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gram- in)–[SBM (G)] on 2 nd October 2014, with a focus on behavioural change among the people and the efforts were taken up to achieve Universal Sani- tation Coverage by 2019. The key objective is to sustain the Open Defecation Free status by ensuring that ‘No one is left behind’ and to improve the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through Solid and Liquid Waste Management Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM) was launched by Gov- ernment of India aimed at developing cluster of villages with facilities per- ceived to be essentially urban in nature, thus creating of “Rurban Villages”. objective is to stimulate local economic development, enhance basic services and create well planned Rurban clusters. Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY ) Saansad Adharsh Gram Yojana aims at holistic development of people of all walks of life through convergence. The Village Panchayat is the basic unit for implementation of the scheme. 29

State Schemes Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam-II (AGAMT-II) Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam– II (AGAMT-II): To promote holistic development of the Villages by providing required infrastructure facilities like construction of cement concrete roads, laying of paver blocks in streets and lanes, construction of drainage, improvements to burial ground, rejuvenation in convergence with other schemes for five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Member of Legislative Assembly Constituency Development Scheme (MLACDS) The objective of this scheme is to enable the Members of Legislative Assembly to identify the infrastructure gaps in their Constituencies and propose the works to be taken under MLACDS. This scheme is being imple- mented in the State both in rural and urban areas. The fund allocation under the scheme is Rs.3.00 crore per constituency per annum. Namakku Naame Thittam (NNT) Namakku Naame Thittam is a participatory demand driven scheme announced by Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi, Hon’ble former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu during the Budget Speech 1997-98. The scheme aims to pro- mote and strengthen the self-help and self-reliant attitude of the commu- nity. The scheme directly involves the community in the developmental process from planning, resource mobilization, execution and maintenance. Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme (TNRRIS) The Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme (TNRRIS) provides for improvement of Village Panchayat and Panchayat Union roads. The scheme permits improvement of all types of roads, i.e. upgradation of un-surfaced roads and strengthening/maintenance of surfaced roads. The important feature of the scheme is the flexibility in selection of roads based on road network characteristics in a District. Road Connectivity through NABARD - Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) The Union Government created the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in NABARD in 1995-96, to provide loan under three broad categories including agriculture and related sector, social sector and rural connectivi- ty. The RD Department builds inter-village connectivity through this fund. 30

Link roads in Tribal areas The improvement of 125 Km length of link roads (WBM roads) in Tribal areas has been taken up at a cost of Rs.58.17 crore in 19 Districts for the year 2020-21. The funds are provided by the Tribal Welfare Department and the implementation is done by Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Depart- ment. School Infrastructure Development Scheme (SIDS) Panchayat Union Primary and Middle Schools located in rural and urban areas are the property of the Panchayat Unions concerned. The aim of the scheme is to ensure the maintenance of repair and renovation of existing infrastructure facilities and providing modern amenities in the Panchayat Union Primary and Middle Schools located in rural and urban areas. Socio Economic Development Programme (SEDP) To curb the rise of Naxalite elements in the backward Districts of Dharma- puri and Krishnagiri, a Socio Economic Development Programme was launched (SEDP) in the year 2003-04. Solid Waste Management (SWM) and Grey water management in rural areas Solid Waste Management Systems with collection, segregation and waste disposal facilities has been established in all the 12,525 Village Panchayats of Tamil Nadu. Door to door collection of waste, segregation, transportation and processing of waste is being carried out in all the Village Panchayats. To ensure clean and green villages, it has been decided to carry out the Grey Water Management works on saturation approach under SBM (G) in convergence with MGNREGS, 15th Finance Commission grant and Jal Jeevan Mission. 31

FROM THE PAST ,• ., spread. More wells were dug and deepened, forged in the 'villages, ,making mlited efforts roads constructed, bunds erected, the gram a- sevaks and villagers working hand in hand. for a common cause possible. . niis local This happened in several villages. 'Journals of particular organisations ~ve.. A ce-rtain foreign style has been allur- leadership and unity of action give the people @a tend\"'.ncy to become printed self- j~k?J ing u.s and destroyin~ our old tradition' The. \"new-life\" movement spread in the Tirumangalam firka, of Madurai District. courage to execute schemes,' involving' con: The Firka Development or Rural Welfare ~r , which bores the ordinary reader,~ ~f moun and quiet service. AmI running Programme adopted by the Government in sider;>ble cost, with just the minimum aid the last quarter of 1946 has .taken deep root there.' The scheme which was introduced, from the Government, and sometimes evelj first in 34 centres was later extended to 50 wish to interest in us. counter' .to the general stream? I am sorry more centres in 1950and to another 24 centres 'without it. ,\"t' in\" 1952. The Tirumangalam Firka now s ub:$t'\",.\" ~ 'for that, but some one must warn. ' consists of' 261 villages including hamlets. Out of many, just one example, may be ,The total population of the area- comes to Allynumber of desires do not make Not advertisement, 'not beautiftIlly illus- 1,52,062. The firka hap now ,become a model cited in this particular context to 'illustrate in the southern area. ,achievement. What.produces is work.J>eo;.\"r~trated Journals, not noise and self-praise _ how this leadership can function in terms of The village workers at Tirumangalam (ire» are good, but they must be urges].-\",.....,. but manual work wili save us from shame have learnt the human approach to the work' equity and social justice. The peoplelof of ,rural uplift and development.' These ffiP within and by being prevented from ex,•••w. ¥'1.nd disaste;. ' workers ,do not consider themselves as 'just Deivanayagapuram decided to 'have a :com' .•. periodical ,visitors- or supervisory counsels .~ themselves in expression, madew--- . / administering advice from on high. ' They plete masonary drainage with disposal pits are one with the villagers whose regeneration is their motto. ,The, result of this complete for their village. It was a drainage scheme identification with the villagers has had the .create pressure. Recording and print~5r' Our loving mother is earth, the mud ~l most salutary effect. 'Whole. families have worthy of any municipality. This was how Dthat we wish to do this, we wish to ;;1-0 that is waiting to be embraced• .- It will\" joined in the community service of rehabili- I tating the villages. That natural hostility they carried it out. The cost came to more towards ostentatious programmes of welfare \\1-that, we plan for this, we plan f~r~ give us everything we want, if we wor~ work imposed ,from outside is nowhere in evi_' than Rs. 5,000. The villagers decided to levy at it. Work, hard work -' down.a' t manual denee in Tirumangalam .. There is not a single t - is suicidal. The re.cord must be t Rs. 2 on every acre of land. Those self-conscious or self-proclaimed' saviour in Villagers listen to the news being read out who owned no lands, lent their carts free of that village ... Not, even the most critical ~y 'of what we have achieved. Let us vva>'1 level. Decentralise .and 'do,n. ot over-depart- .NEW LIFE IN THE VILLAGE observer will come; across any feeling of in~ cnarge. Those who owned neither lands nor feriority or helplessness in the attitude of the i finding pleasure in andculti;ating'a mentalise' •. Let there be no supervisor villager. And this is remarkable, particular- carts contributed free labour. The Govern- , lybecause large numbers of these villagers te for drum-beating and trumpet-blowing. . except the internal watchman.. This is consist of Harij ans; Kallars and Thevars sup- ment contributed Rs. 500 for the work. The is no substitute for work.. the message of the new 'Kurukshe'tra I • posed fa, be ba, ck,ward communities. people of Deivanayagapuram had thus their . Another important ,factor that has contri- buted to the striking 'success of the Rural drainage work completed. . '\" Welfare Scheme in Tirumangalam Firka has SrJ 'J.ayanti Day, C. RAJAGOPALACHARI The story is set in an obscure village in stree~s; not in that superior, symbolic way; been the, creation of sound' leadership in An important factor that has contributed MADRAS. Madurai District; little was known or heard not as a pastime. It did not take long 'every village. Gram'a seva sangams have tothe success of the scheme in TirumangaJam of it. And like most otber villages, this for the intelligent villagel's to see that the been 'organised in almost every village. The Firka is the co-ordination between the Rural We are. grateful to Sri.C-. Rajagop'a'lachari, I of Madras,. for one was steeped in ignorance) poverty and young man was a genuine worker who had leaders are elderly,and respected people. The Welfare Department' and the Public Work~; Chief\\Minister want-want of material needs, and the moral come to them with a noble purpose. They sanction -behind ~very scheme carried out so Agricultural, Co-operative and Health De- strength to achieve things by their own ceased gazing at him in wonder or am\\)se- far in Tirumangala~ has been this unity partments. The members of the special the timely warning. We shall try to act upto the message. -We 'shall count on efforts. Life in the village went on in ment, and joined him in the work.. They staff from all these Departments worked the old sullen routine-with an occa- knew he had come intent on making the 26 KVRt1XSHETRA with the Rural Welfare 'staff 'as one' .........- the continued vigilance of the nation's elder statesmen like Rajaji. -EDITOR sional grouse against Fate which did not village clean. They also saw what they, had team. There was no, isolated activity a'll smile at them; and agaihst the Govern- failed to see before, that a clean village was the part of these Departments. At every '\\ r ment which is usually blamed for all the meant for their own well.-being. monthly meeting of the District Wel- shortcomings, until one day the village was fare Committee, a co-ordinated\" plan 'by \\ roused by a hitherto unheard of experience. They had heard platform speeches .on all the Departments was draWn up for exe' A young man, whp seemed educated and village uplift and once in a way they had cution and discussed on the basis of ,.the' better off than the villagers themselves, made also seen a magic lantern show on sanita- experience gained' at the last meeting of the his appearance in a strange manner. He tion. But this was something new. This Committee, and fresh plans for the 'next was not dressed in western clothes. He wore new type of worker did not disappear after month were drawn up . neat simple clothes. He did not bring suit- making a lofty speech. He took the broom I cases and a hold-all. Instead he appeared and started cleaning the village. He dug A noteworthy feature ih the worKing'of the with a broom in hand; and what really first compost pits; he did countless other jobs schEme in Tirumangalam is the new spirit amused, ,then intrigued and finally interested which the villagers had neglected them- the astonished villagers was that he used selves. He -was not alone in. the work; of comraderie and solidarity among the vil- the broom himself. He actually swept the others came and shared the work; the lagers' and the welfare workers alike. The villagers now woke up and they too joined Constructive Workers' Day is celebrated at This article was prepared by the J\\.fadras Publicity in the community service.. The new gospel least twice a month. The day is celebrated . Department .. -the harmony of theory and practice- when the entire Rura1 Welfare staff and' the local grama seva sangam evolve a co~mon KURUK8HETRA 25 Officer-_trained digging ~ drain\"'-in a vi''flage near Nilo- I•• prograinme of work, and also execute. jobs .. Welfare staff during, the- Grama Se~aks tiie Karisalpatti viiiage was inaccessIble.: ing' rooths, communIty halls, maternity cert- \" of an urgent nature. Intensiv.~_sanitation,. tres, bath-rooms, disposal pits, culverts and mass 'spinning} cosmopolitan dinners,. games,. CP.llstr.uctiveWorkers' 'Day: in September People hadto tresspass through private hold- latrines. Besides this, radio sets and stud Masonry wei T_ public meetings and community prayers are 1951,'about 200villagers gathered with their . ings and it was difficult to take bullock carts bulls were also purchased with the help of.. under construc- also arranged during the day. Usually implements and worked a' whole day from .and cattle from the village to the' fields. a Government grant. The total cost of all tion fOT MUT1L- prayers are held in places found most insani- .these' improvements came to Rs. 1,80,400. tary but cleaned up by the villagers them- 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. The work was continued On January. 29, 1952, the Constructive The amount sanctioned by the Government gaueri tank selves. Workers' Day, about 200 vlIIagers gathered was only Rs. 60,800 while the balance of afor few,more days and theY were. able to .together with their implements and statted Rs. 1,]9,600 was contributed by. the villagers 10 Achievements work at' 8 A.M. They worked the.' whole themselves. That means, more than twice l,.>!n the five years of the working of the remove the silt completely and dig' a supply day and about :300yards of road were com- . the value of the grant was contributed by scheme, striking results have already been channel extending over'3000 feet. The tank pleted by the evening. Without having to the villagers . 'achieved. Quite a number of substantial is now full and the villagers are using the .depend on external aid a long felt need was ameliorative measures have -been carried out water for irrigation.. '\" satisfied. The. estimated cost of the work Special attention is also paid to in~reasing by the villagers themselves. An inspiring done during the day was Rs: 500. . the production of foodgrains, cotton and example is that of the Kallanai Tank which \"Improvements to.the village tank at Muru- vegetables through subsidies and 'other was reclaimed by the entire village. During - the five year period, twenty-six facilities. Attempts to make good the defiCit ganeri were. effected in the same spirit by a l'oaq_ works were sanctioned covering about in-foodgrains are being made. Improved Tn the Kallanai Tank, that has an ayacut of . forty miles, of which twenty are nearing methods of cultivation are being. adopted. 180 acres, it was found that the 'crest of the land army of villagers. This tank is a rain-fed .completion. The total amount' sanctioned using improved strains of paddy and millet. dividing dam was lower than the level of the by the Government was Rs. 90,000. In many The farmers are encouraged .to prepare full tank. Consequently' when the tank was tank with an ayacut of 101 acres. The bund cases the villagers either surrendered their compost manure with waste vegetable matter full, water flowed back into the supply chan- land free of cost for the laying out of roads like grass, weeds, stubble of crops and other' nel itself, and it was impossible to' store' a was of' an irregular shape with .too -many or paid in cash one-fourth of the cost of the farm waste .. A subsidy of one rupee is paid sufficient amount of water for irrigation. land acquired. In all cases, they contributed for eve'ry ton of compost prepared. About curves and it had no arrangements for storing at least one-fourth of the cost for the execu- 2,000compost pits were dug,. making not less .•' There. were two alternatives. One was to tion of all the road works. than 10,000tons of manure. In the interests raise the crest. ot the. dam and the other to surplus water. Without improvements, the of better irrigation, the existing tanks are extend the .tank head at the right flank by With regard to the water supply, the being improved and a subsidy .is paid for building a new bundabout a mile long. The tank was totally inadequate .for irrigation. villagers in Tirumangalam have achieved digging new irrigation wells. Five thousand Public Works Department had- objections to striking results. Beautifully constructed acres of dry land were brought under the K2 raising the crest level. The estimated cost The extension of the-tank bund and thecons-. and properly. 'maintained wells can be seen Cotton Seed' Multiplication Scheme of 1952 of an extension of the tank bund came to everywhere. During ]947-52, 130 wells and loans at the rate of Rs. 25 per acre were Rs. 30,000. The, villagers decided to do the truction ofa' masonry weir alone could were completed at. an estimated cost of also granted. The total amount of loans work themselves. Today, the bund is more Rs. 89,000. The balance of Rs. 50,500 was granted was Rs. 14,000. than half completed. The labour involved improve the tank.' The villagers joined to- contributed by 'the villagers themselves. villages, are given ,six months' fr_ee training\" and arrangements are being made for addi- was enormous. Even with the work still in- in village industries: tional loads for 130 more pump, sets. complete, the villagers of Kallanai were able gether and 'formed a land'army. It wa's -de- to raise one good crop for the first time in Village games, sport, drama, folk dances, ten years. The work is going on with un- cided that each household, should send 'one bhajans and community prayers are d{mihished. enthusiasm. organized regularly. There are periodical member to work or lend theli' cart. or pay Arrangements through multi-purpose- inter-viliage tour'narrient~ and. prIzes. are The story of the Vidathakulam Spring im- distributed to the winners. Under the 'provement .is. another instance of'self-help. cash, in case no labour could -be contributed. cooperative societies have also been made auspices, of the local panchayat' or co- , There Was a small natural spring 80' by 30' operative societies, radio sets have been and 8' deep of. irregular shape,' which The work on the tank bund was completed. tei collect arid distribute raw materials for installed in sixteen villa'ges~ the Government was fmlnd to be' a permanent source of contributing half the cost. There is also a water\" supply. The villagers wanted the - The work on the masonary we'ir on the right artisans and to find markets' for the finished Central Library at Tirumangalam with sixty- Government to deepen the spring and five branch libraries in other villages. Books to' dig a . supply _channel to the paddy / flank. was also entrusted to the grama seva goods through the Central Sales. Society. and periodicals .are circulated 'among the fields. At the instance of the Rural branch libraries. sangam. This. work, also supervised depart\" Improved to'ols haye also been supplied free This account gives only a general idea of mentally, is proceeding. :,~ of cost to deserving artisans through the the stupendous constructive efforts made- in- TirumangalanL Wrinkled old men can be Another undertaking carried out by the Industrial Department, and so far about seen with slate and chalk. Though their villagers in this firka, -which is now' able h~nds are shaking, their minds are firm. This to help agriculture substantially; is the 942 tools worth about Rs. 9,000 have been is the beginning of a \"new life. The leader deepening of the Urandaurappanur vil- of a group reads a neVl:3paper to his fellow?, lage tank. _ The work had been pend\" distributed to 275 artisans. whereupon a discussion follows on ~uch ing -.for the last two years, The 'villag- subj€tcts as Sri Vino.baji's \"Bhqodan Yagna_ Another sight, unusual in an ordinary With a view to. encouraging village To achieve self-sufficiency in clothing\" an movement.\" Tir.umangalam is an object ers then decided to take matters into their village is the pucca masonry drainage, industries and to training artisans in 'modern extensive Khadi scheme has been started in lesson to the modern world. constructed' competently, even artistically methods, a Village Industries Training this area. 'Under this scheme charkhas are own hands.' On a voluntary .basis;.they 'ex' in several villages. .Most of these drain- Centre has been started at Kallupatti Grama being distributed on concessional terms by cavated the tank.to a depth of about-lO' over age schemes have been carried out at Sevaka Vidyalaya. The Centre' is run by giving a subsidy of Its. 3 per charkha and the villagersl own cost, or in a few cases, \\~ith competent people who have undergone 'also by paying a subsidy of eight pies per an area of .100'X60' and the work wascom-' only the minimum aid from the Government. training at the All India Village Industries hank of yarh used.' . pleted before July 15, 1952-less than a Today twenty-four villages can boast of Association at Wardha. The main subjects masonry. drainage. covering a distance of dealt with are oil-pressing by improved' About 25 villages in the development area month after the work was begun. A puinp- 79;000'feet, carried out at an appro'ximate. ghani, 'paper making, food processing, bee- have been electrified mainly for the object set was also fixed under the Kallar Reclama- cost of Rs. ] ,00,000. keeping, palmgur making, pottery, spinning of promoting agriculture, A, hundred and' tion Scheme and the improved tank is now and weaving of khadi, metal works, etc. fifty pump sets have already been fitted ,up, capable of irrigating about lOOacres 'of land. The villagers have also used the. discre- . Thirty-two candidates are trained for one . tionary grant to carry .out more than 200 Another sphere. in which substantial re-' ....year in advanced courses in weaving, while sults have been achieved is the' construction items of work, such as' .improvements to thirty candidates, mostly artisans from the of village .roads. For a distance of about two wells, construction of school buildings, read- furlongs there was no satisfactory road and KURUKSHETRA 27 2[1 KURUKSI1l':TRA KURUKSHETR,.\\ 2~ Rural Development programs in India began as Community Development Program in early 50s. Kurukshetra, a monthly magazine was started in the month of Septem- ber 1952 by the Planning Commission to report on the experience and knowledge gained in the implementation. For its first issue, the then CM of Madras, Shree. Rajagopalachary sent a message with a warning that the journals of organisations have a tendency to become printed self flatery. We have reproduced one of the first stories about Madras Presidency in the Magazine. The story was carried in the December Issue on the constructive efforts made in Thirumangalam, Madurai. 32