Monday, February 28, 2011

Budget (2011-12) from the point of view of LIFE project

Budget from the point of view of
LIFE project

(Taken from the Finance Minister-Pranab Mukherjee's Budget speech -budget 2011-2012)

MGNREGA

In pursuance of my earlier budget announcement to provide a real wage of Rs 100 per day, the Government has decided to index the wage rates notified under the MGNREGA to the Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labour. The enhanced wage rates have been notified by the Ministry of Rural Development on January 14, 2011. It has resulted in significant enhancement of wages for the beneficiaries across the country.

Social security and other schemes-Unorganised sector

  • I had announced a co-contributory pension scheme "Swavalamban" in the Budget 2010-11. This scheme has been welcomed by the workers in unorganised sector. Over 4 lakh applications have already been received. On the basis of the feedback received, I am relaxing the exit norms whereby a subscriber under Swavalamban will be allowed exit at the age of 50 years instead of 60 years, or a minimum tenure of 20 years, whichever is later. I also propose to extend the benefit of Government contribution from three to five years for all subscribers of Swavalamban who enroll during 2010-11 and 2011-12. An estimated 20 lakh beneficiaries will join the scheme by March 2012.


  • Under the on-going Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme for BPL beneficiaries, the eligibility for pension is proposed to be reduced from 65 years at present to 60 years. Further, for those who are 80 years and above, the pension amount is being raised from Rs 200 at present to Rs 500 per month.

  • The Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers are the backbone of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme. I am happy to announce an increase in theremuneration of Anganwadi workers from Rs 1,500 per month to Rs 3,000 per month and for Anganwadi helpers from Rs 750 per month to Rs 1,500 per month. This will be effective from April 1, 2011. Around 22 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers will benefit from the increase.

Agriculture Credit
  • To get the best from their land, farmers need access to affordable credit. Banks have been consistently meeting the targets set for agriculture credit flow in the past few years. For the year 2011-12, I am raising the target of credit flow to the farmers from Rs 3,75,000 crore this year to Rs 4,75,000 crore in 2011-12. Banks have been asked to step up direct lending for agriculture and credit to small and marginal farmers.

  • The existing interest subvention scheme of providing short term crop loans to farmers at 7 per cent interest will be continued during 2011-12. In the last budget, I had provided an additional 2 per cent interest subvention to those farmers who repay their crop loans on time. The response to this scheme has been good. In order to provide further incentive to these farmers, I propose to enhance the additional subvention to 3 per cent in 2011-12. Thus, the effective rate of interest for such farmers will be 4 per cent per annum.

  • In view of the enhanced target for flow of agriculture credit, propose to strengthen NABARD's capital base by infusing Rs 3000 crore, in a phased manner, asGovernment equity. This would raise its paid-up capital to Rs 5,000 crore. To enable NABARD refinance the short-term crop loans of the cooperative credit institutions and RRBs at concessional rates, I propose a contribution of Rs 10,000 crore to NABARD's Short-term Rural Credit Fund for 2011-12 from the shortfall in priority sector lending by Scheduled Commercial Banks.
Micro Finance Institutions
The Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) have emerged as an importantmeans of financial inclusion. Creation of a dedicated fund for providing equity to smaller MFIs would help them maintain growth and achieve scale and efficiency in operations. I propose to create in the course of the year, "India Microfinance Equity Fund" of Rs 100 crore with SIDBI. To empower women and promote their Self Help Groups (SHGs), I propose to create a "Women's SHG's Development Fund" with a corpus of Rs 500 crore. The Committee set up by RBI to look into issues relating to micro finance sector in India has submitted its report. The Government is considering putting in place appropriate framework to protect the interests of small borrowers.
Subsidies
  • During the year 2010-11, the Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) policy was successfully implemented for all fertilisers except urea. The policy has been well received by all stakeholders, and the availability of fertilisers has improved. The extension of the NBS regime to cover urea is under active consideration of the Government.
  • The Government provides subsidies, notably on fuel and food grains, to enable the common man to have access to these basic necessities at affordable prices. A significant proportion of subsidised fuel does not reach the targeted beneficiaries and there is large scale diversion of subsidised kerosene oil. A recent tragic event has highlighted this practice. We have deliberated for long the modalities of implementing such subsidies. The debate now has to make way for decision. To ensure greater efficiency, cost effectiveness and better delivery for both kerosene and fertilisers, the Government will move towards direct transfer of cash subsidy to people living below poverty line in a phased manner.
  • A task force headed by Shri Nandan Nilekani has been set-up to work out the modalities for the proposed system of direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene, LPG and fertilisers. The interim report of the task force is expected by June 2011. The system will be in place by March 2012.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
  • Micro and Small enterprises play a crucial role in furthering the objective of equitable and inclusive growth. Last year, Rs 4,000 crore was provided to SIDBI for refinancing incremental lending by banks to these enterprises. For the year 2011-12, I propose to provide Rs 5,000 crore to SIDBI for the same purpose out of the shortfall of banks on priority sector lending targets.
  • Handloom weavers have been facing economic stress. Consequently, many of them have not been able to repay debts to handloom weaver cooperative societies which have become financially unviable. I propose to provide Rs 3,000 crore to NABARD, in phases for these cooperative societies. The initiative would benefit 15,000 cooperative societies and about 3 lakh handloom weavers. The details of the scheme would be worked out by the Ministry of Textiles in consultation with Planning Commission.
  •  I am happy to report that the outstanding loans to minority communities which stood at 13 per cent of total priority sector lending at the end of last year have increased to 13.6 per cent in the current year. I have directed the Public Sector Banks to achieve the target of 15 per cent at the earliest.

Skill Development
  • I am happy to inform the House that National Skill Development Council (NSDC) is well on course to achieve its mandate of creation of 15 crore skilled workforce two years ahead of 2022, the stipulated target year. It has already sanctioned 26 projects with a total funding of Rs 658 crore. These projects alone are expected to create more than 4 crore skilled workforce over the next ten years. In the current year, skill training has so far been provided to 20,000 persons. Of these, 75 per cent have found placements. I will provide an additional Rs 500 crore to the National Skill Development Fund during the next year.
  • National celebrations of 150th Birth Anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore will commence from May 7, 2011 in New Delhi. Important events will be held in several countries in Europe, America and Asia. A series of events are also proposed to be organized under the aegis of joint India-Bangladesh Celebrations Committee. An international award with prize money of Rs 1 crore is being instituted for promoting values of Universal Brotherhood in the memory of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.
Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern Region
The Green Revolution in Eastern Region is waiting to happen. To realize the potential of the region, last year's initiative will be continued in 2011-12 with a further allocation of Rs 400 crore. The program would target the improvement in the rice based cropping system of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Integrated Development of 60,000 pulses villages in rainfed areas
Government's initiative on pulses has received a positive response from the farmers. As per the second advance estimates, a record production of 165 lakh tonnes of pulses is expected this year as against 147 lakh tonnes last year. While consolidating these gains, we must strive to attain self-sufficiency in production of pulses within next three years. I propose to provide an amount of Rs 300 crore to promote 60,000 pulses villages in rainfed areas for increasing crop productivity and strengthening market linkages.

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
  • While the need to maximize crop yields to meet the growing demand for food grains is critical, we have to sustain agricultural productivity in the long run. There has been deterioration in soil health due to removal of crop residues and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers, aided by distorted prices.
  • To address these issues, the Government proposes to promote organic farming methods, combining modern technology with traditional farming practices like green manuring, biological pest control and weed management.

Agriculture Produce Marketing Act
The recent episode of inflation in vegetables and fruits has exposed serious flaws in our supply chains. The government regulated mandis sometimes prevent retailers from integrating their enterprises with the farmers. There is need for the State Governments to review and enforce a reformed Agriculture Produce Marketing Act urgently.

Forests
Protection and regeneration of forests has great ecological, economic and social value. Our Government has launched an ambitious ten-year Green India mission. I propose to allocate Rs 200 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund to begin its implementation in 2011-12.
Environmental Management
Environmental pollution has emerged as a serious public health concern across the country. I propose to allocate Rs 200 crore from the National Clean Energy Fund as Centre's contribution in 2011-12 for launching environmental remediation programmes.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System
Pursuant to the recommendations of Second Administrative Reforms Commission, the Government has set up a Performance Monitoring and Evaluation System (PMES) to assess the effectiveness of Government departments in their mandated functions. It involves preparation of a Results Framework Document (RFD) by each department, highlighting its objectives and priorities for the financial year and achievements against pre-specified targets at the end of the year. This document would be available for public information on the departmental websites. In the first phase, 62 departments have been covered under PMES.


For more detail log on to:


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Photo gallery...

21st-24th Feb 2011, SJVS-Banswara (Rajasthan): LIFE project annual review along with field visit to LIFE project villages (Amblipad, Ambapada, Bhimgarh, Kanjapada, Khedili, Nathpura, kajalpada, Jamri) :






15th Feb 2011, New Delhi : Sanjha Samvad-Networking meeting of LIFE project partners (SJVS-Banswara & Disha-RCDSSS-Ajmer, Harit Prayas project partners (MVSS-Sagar, JCSS-Jhansi & SSSS-Satna) and other NGO's...







Kishangarh Madi exposure -to the farmers of Ajmer LIFE project villages...


Micro-planning in Mavashiya village of Mavashiya panchayat (Ajmer)-a LIFE project village...














Exposure visit of LIFE project village farmers of Ajmer to NRCSS(National Research Center for Seed & Spiceses), Ajmer...


Important links

Project supporters-Caritas India & Caritas Spain

What is Caritas?
The word Caritas comes from Latin. It means, Charity - Love. The name connotes the Church’s efforts to bring Compassion and Love to Humanity, as Mother Theresa aptly put it, Charity is Love in Action. Caritas exists to bring Solidarity and Social Justice. Caritas across the world works under the following guiding principles:
  • Uphold the human dignity everywhere and all times
  • Combat the de-humanizing poverty through option for the poor Strengthen the capacities of the local partners
  • Protect the Unity of the Family through formation of values
  • Build Solidarity and Partners glo bally and locally

About Caritas-India
Caritas India is the official national organisation of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India for social development. It was established in 1962 to assist the Church in India in efforts to eradicate poverty, reach relief and rehabilitation in times of disasters and organize communities for self advancement. During the last four decades of its humanitarian and development efforts, Caritas India has served the poor and marginalized, without any distinction of caste, creed and ethnicity. Caritas India works in collaboration with Diocesan Social Service Societies and NGOs in the country.

Caritas India works within the framework of national plans, needs and priorities in collaboration with the Central and State Governments at various levels.

CARITAS Espanola
Caritas Spain operates through 68 diocesan offices, which manage the work of 65,000 volunteers. In Spain, Caritas works to support vulnerable and marginalized people, the poor and needy, immigrants and young people in difficulty, among others. It supports research into the causes of poverty and regularly produces publications on related issues.

Recent activities...







SANJHA SAMVAD-a network for development

Coming together is a process
keeping together is progress
Working together is success


Networking denotes an action (a verb), a process that involves a number of actors and brings a dynamic relationship between and among the various actors of civil society in concern with the same first networking meeting of the LIFE project partners (SJVS-Banswara and RCDSSS-Ajmer), Harit Prayas Project partners (MVSS-Sagar, JCSS-Jhansi and SSSS-Satna) and NGOs from Banswara, Ajmer, Gorakhpur, New Delhi  and Jhansi has been organized at the Chetanalaya building By the Caritas India North Zone team . Meeting has accentuated on the concept that -the Networks help to link individuals, groups and organizations of various walks of life and provide greater strength to people working for a common cause. Networks perform a wide range of functions: from sharing and disseminating information to acting as a pressure group to influence policies. Members of a network lend valuable support to each other and help its members in perspective building or developing innovative approaches to developmental activities.


Meeting has started with the prayer and introduction of the NGOs partners and Caritas representatives-Fr.Varghese Mattamana (ED Caritas India), Fr. P.Chinnappa (Administrator, Caritas India), Mr. Nelson (HOD, Caritas India), Mr. PU Francis (Zonal Manger-North, Caritas India), Mr. Jacob (State Officer, Caritas India), Mr. Sinu (State Officer, UP region, Caritas India) Ms. Chinnamma (Caritas India) and Mr. Vinod Pandey (Project Officer, Caritas India).

Later on Mr. Vinod Pandey has made a brief reflection on LIFE project its different components, relation of LIFE project with MGNREGA, and other government schemes. Followed by the presentation, there was a release of booklet on ‘Collection of 30 most promising Development NEWS of the last one year (Feb2010-Feb 2011)’ by Fr Varghese Mattamana, he has presented the first copy of it to Mr. PU Francis.  After the release, Fr Varghese addressed the people and expresses his happiness to be the part of this networking meeting. He said we experimenting through this networking meeting ‘to make the partners to come on the common platform’ and hope we would be successful in the same. He has shared in brief about the Caritas India and its work and emphasized that Dignity of human is the prime focus of Caritas India!
Taking the meeting foreword resource persons Dr. Rahul Dixit & Mr. Divya Prakash from Transparency Seekers for Accountability (TSA) -a Delhi based Non-profit Organization working on the concept of ‘Rights Based Approach (RBA)’ moved the meeting in a participatory way to understand the basic concept of ‘networking & development’ where in it has Cleary stated that ‘networking of NGO partners could serve the community in better way’.
Later on Fr. Gibi from PGSS (Gorakhpur) has explained the participants about the ‘channelizing advocacy through the common platform in the form of networking of NGO partners’
At the end of the meeting the participants decided to have an e-group of this network group, where in all the participants would be the members of it and this e-group would primarily serve as the source of sharing knowledge on different development concerns. A name has given to this e-group as-SANJHA SAMVAD (voice of togetherness). Also it has decided that the next networking meeting would take place by the name SANJHA SAMVAD and probably would take place after six months.
At the end of the programme Mr. Jacob (State Officer-Delhi region) has give vote of thanks to the participants and resource persons.




LIFE project in MEDIA

In News papers...




In annual reports...


Release of LIFE project broucher

Release of LIFE project broucher (15th Dec 2010)
In view of enhancing the visibility of LIFE project amongst different stakeholders LIFE project broucher has been designed, developed, printed and inaugurated at Caritas India level (by the Executive Director-Caritas India)  & partner’s level (by the concerned dioceses directors and different government officials. The broucher accentuates the basic concept of LIFE project, its components, strategy of implementation and knowledge building on partners and donor agencies. . The broucher has been developed in English language and now there is demand from the government officials and community members to also have the broucher in Hindi language.


Release of LIFE project broucher at SJVS Banswara: In view of enhancing the visibility of LIFE project amongst different stakeholders in Banswara district, this morning (20/12/2010) a small function has been organized at the SJVS Banswara to inaugurate the LIFE broucher. Mr. Rajendera Singh (DDM, NABARD, Banswara) has invited as the chief guest to inaugurate the broucher

Friday, February 18, 2011

LIFE-changing lives (Anecdotes)

Anecdote-1
From LIFE, life has changed!

“Asmarthta aur Agyanta, ye thi meri pehchhan
Tub mili mujhe Disha, aur badh gaya mera gyan”

These lines reflect the life of Deshraj Meghvanshi, Graduate, 25 years old married three years back with a wife and a two year old kid, life has been changed after coming in line with the LIFE project in Mavashiya village (Mavashiya Panchyat, Ajmer).. Earlier he was living a very troublesome life. There was no support to earn livelihood, no means of education for children and many more problems. He had to depend on daily wages from agricultural plots and construction sites.

After the initiation of LIFE project in Mavashiya by Disha-RCDSSS, Madar ,Deshraj has shown interest in youth mobilization and being the part of youth club. And Now he is an active member of a Mavashiya youth club. After becoming the member of youth club, he has given his name to for the skill development programme under the LIFE project, as he wants to earn little better  so that he could able to feed properly to his wife and son.

Under the skill development and placement component of LIFE project his name has been registered for the skill based trainings and also entered in the data base of unemployed youths.

Placement coordinator of Disha-RCDSSS (LIFE Project) has worked-out on the on the data base of vacancies available in different firms (in Ajmer and near by districts) and tried to match the available unemployed youths data base to the available vacancies. In the same Deshraj bio-data has matched for the post of security guard in Jaipur based company-ISOIL. A small training on interview skills and company profile has been given and discussed with Deshraj by the placement coordinator and later on with a small interview by ISOILhe has selected for the said post in Jaipur with a monthly salary of Rs.5000+HR +TA+DA+food.


Now with the job of security guard Deshraj has enhanced his self esteem to work as well as given energy to a dignified life. Due to sufficient income he is able to feed properly to his family and enjoying a better social recognition in the society. Additionally he is also educating people (when he comes on Sunday or any other holiday) with regard to adopting project activities and spreading awareness in the village through youth club.  




Anecdote-2

Iqbal Mohammad to Iqbal General Store!

Iqbal Mohammad is today a growing businessman and an owner of “Iqbal General Store” who was once striving for his livelihood. A resident of village Mavashiya (Mavashiya gram Panchayat, Ajmer). Primary source of his family income is through agriculture and a Iqubal’s brother who is earning mere Rs.3000/- per month and that too by traveling almost 5 Kms daily to an Indian Oil Company (sub-station). Nevertheless, after the initiation of LIFE project and various skill development activities (under LIFE project) Iqubal came in contact with the  RCDSSS LIFE project staff and has observed that  his attitude towards earning for his family took a leap forward. Later on through youth club membership he has given direction and guidance to open up a store in his village for which he got the complete information regarding the selection of the venue the places from where the material can be purchased on the wholesale rates. He contacted the Ajmer and Nasirabad wholesale dealers to purchase the material as guided by the organization and owing to this he came to know about the difference in the rates between the local market and the contacted dealers. The material was purchased by his savings of Rs.2000/-. Today, he is earning Rs.4500/- per month from his store since 5 months now.  He is using his income in his agricultural practices and livestock management as well. Also he has decided that if in future the store shows a remarkable growth then he will be channeled to apply for the loans from the government department for performing wholesale business.

LIFE project -an overview

LIFE Project -an overview
Project Title: Livelihood Initiation For Empowerment (LIFE), Rajasthan, India
Project Objective: Villages/Farmers of Ajmer and Banswara are having sufficient income and food availability from their agriculture and other sources of income.”
Location:  Ajmer and Banswara districts of Rajasthan State in India
Target community: marginalized farmers, women and youths
Time-Frame:  September 2010 to August 2012         
Name of Partner: Disha-RCDSSS (Ajmer) and SJVS (Banswara)

Context (Rajasthan)
Rajasthan the largest State of India with high population growth and has agrarian economy with greater drought vulnerability. Livelihood in the state is always challenged by recurring drought situations and insufficient agriculture gain. The rural communities in Rajasthan are mainly dependent on rain-fed agriculture. More then 85% farmers in the proposed districts have small landholdings which are less then 2 ha. The production from their farms hardly meet the food consumption needs at the household level, very few are able to sell little left out in market to earn income. The problem of low production farms and livestock is linked with poor knowledge of farmers on improved agriculture practices, ineffective service delivery from government and weak market knowledge and accessibility. The presence of exploitative middlemen who take major share of profit poses serious threat to the livelihood security both at the household and at the community level in the villages.

Project district overview
Ajmer: The Ajmer district falls under the central region of Rajasthan state, which is categorized as a semi arid zone where the rainfall is 610 millimeters. The extent of irrigation is however small. The principal means of irrigation are wells, canals, bore wells and tanks. Traditionally the source of irrigation was only the wells but now canals and bore wells are developed. The farmers lift water from the wells and canals with the help of diesel engine. The arable land in the project area has black soil and the non-arable land is stony and sandy in nature. The farmers use animals for ploughing and tilling their lands. The farmers usually practice two cropping in a year.

Banswara: Banswara district is located in the southern part of Rajasthan. As per 2001 population census, the total population in the district is 1.5 million ( 0.76 million male and 0.74 million female), out of which the Schedule Castes comprises of 4.28% and Schedule Tribes 72,2% Bhils are the most prominent tribe in the district. The total literacy rate is 44.22%.


Partners Introduction

Disha-RCDSSS-Ajmer
Roman Catholic Diocesan Social Service Society, Ajmer was registered on 24 April 1993 under Rajasthan Society Registration Act 1958, since it has been working in 5 Districts of Rajasthan to perform work of charity, social, medical, agricultural and educational development, for those in need especially in rural areas, irrespective of race, caste, community or creed in the spirit of brotherly love. Being a social service society, RCDSSS intends to control biasness for women in its interventional areas through awareness generation and community based institutions. It is continuously making all efforts to raise the status of women in the society through the various activities under the different project funded above organization to strengthen women in concern with enthusiasm and hope in the project areas.

SJVS-Banswara
The SAMPURNA JEEVAN VIKAS SAMITI-SJVS (Registration No.47/Udaipur/1986-87 dated December 18th 1986) was instituted by the Bishop of Udaipur for social and development works in the Diocese.  It has a governing and general body it is a registered organization.  It has a project selection committee with the bishop as the President and Fr. Kulranjan Nicholas as Social work Director and   Dr. K.K. Jacob as the social and development project consultant.  The SJVS has been involving itself in a number of social and development projects in the tribal areas and the most backward regions of southern Rajasthan.

LIFE project accentuates…
Communities in the project area have since time living on existing agriculture and related activities and prevailing farm lands and meeting their subsistence requirements. However, of lately, with external influence, access to market economy, there has been a constant shift in the interest of communities in preserving their natural resources. The recent trends in migration (although very minimal) towards distant areas in search of wage opportunities and somewhat assured regularity in income sources (wages) are further weakening the traditional values of doing agriculture. Agriculture primarily plays a significant role in rural peoples’ lives. What is required is a directed effort towards striving for enhancement of agricultural productivity including livestock production.
The main concerns that were identified during the planning exercise were:

Agriculture & Livestock Production
o       Lack of irrigation
o       Inappropriate agricultural practices
o       Over use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
o       Lack of soil and water conservation
o       Presence of middle men in marketing the products
o       Absence of cooperatives and market outlets in the villages
o       Absence of proper livestock management skill
o       Lack of grading, packing and marketing practices in farmers.
o       Drought
o       Degradation of Natural Resources
Employment opportunities and scope of skill up-gradation in the village
o       Govt. Schemes for self employment and income generation activities
o       Unavailability of vocational technical institutes around the area
o       Unskilled employers
o       Migration
Govt. Schemes of employment & Status of NREGA: Non-participation of people in Gram Sabha and Ineffective functioning of PRIs. Awareness level of the area in terms of NREGA, RTI, Self-employment schemes and other opportunities to increase their agriculture and livestock income.


Strategy of Implementation 
  • Community mobilization and enhancing collectivization: The existing groups in the villages will be strengthened; farmers group will also be formed. These groups will be made aware about the issues, problems and possibilities this will function as base of our intervention. They will be in a position to take appropriate decision and actions for enhancing production and claiming their rights.
  • Capacity building of farmers: Farmer: will be capacitated that they gain knowledge and skill on sustainable and new techniques of agriculture, Leadership quality/Organisational management and awareness on schemes of employment. This will be done through trainings, exposure visit etc.
  • Establishing linkages with KVK, Sadguru: These are qualified technical institute promoting agriculture productivity and water resource management. This will help the community to address the problem of low productivity and optimum utilization of water resource by providing inputs on dry land farming creating demo farms and providing access to various schemes available with them.
  • Networking and advocacy:  with Agriculture & Irrigation Dept., PRI and other relevant agencies. Advocacy measures will be initiated by the people’s organization for the proper implementation of NREGA . This also will ensure that the works done under NREGA contributes to enhance the agricultural productivity of the villages.
  • Information dissemination: – Community’s access to resources: Information on various schemes specially by irrigation department, Agriculture university and Panchayat for Farmers and for generating employment will be disseminated so that the community is aware of various schemes and are applying and accessing the schemes 
  • Model development: Model farms development will encourage other farmer to adopt new practices and practice low cost and high productive crops which will contribute in problem solution.

Impact perspectives

The programme is designed taking into account the social and cultural pattern of the community and their assimilation capacities as well as their vulnerabilities. The programme will enhance the resilience of the beneficiary population. The programme contributes to the construction of local capacities in terms of programme management by involving them in the programme planning, implementation, monitoring and the self- help groups formed and their leaders will be the sustaining force for the programme. The programme will enable the beneficiary population to participate in the local governance system and networking with the government departments, banks etc and that would also ensure the construction of local capacities and fit into the local institutions.