Source : The Economic Times Mumbai; Date:2011 Oct 06; Section:Political Theatre; Govt may Converge Schemes to Improve Quality of Life - URMI A GOSWAMI, NEW DELHI
After guaranteeing rural employment, the UPA government is now attempting address basic quality of life issues in the rural area. In an effort to ensure better use of resources to improve the lives of the rural poor, the government is working on converging schemes that impact basic quality of life.
The rural development and drinking water and sanitation ministries have prepared an “integrated habitat development scheme,” which is a convergence of three existing schemes — rural housing, drinking water and total sanitation schemes. To cover as much ground as possible before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections , the scheme may be rolled out December 2012. The Centre is looking to bring in private partner HDFC for the scheme.
The aim is to ensure integrated development of habitations. Drinking water and sanitation facilities are absolute essentials in any housing project, however, providing all three requirements seldom happens at the same in the rural areas. The ministry hopes that an intergrated programme will have a positive impact in improving the quality of life of villages as an entity. This in turn would have tangible health benefits. The integrated approach comes at a time when India accounts for 58% of all open defecations in the world. This has important and adverse health feedback. For the government, the proposal comes at a time when it is seeking to re-establish its credentials as the voice of the poor and marginalized. For maximum impact, it has been suggested that the village or habitation, a compact cluster of at least ten houses, be the unit for the scheme. In rolling out the programme, it is recommended that simultaneous sanctions be given to adjacent units, so as to ensure developing common infrastructure for sanitation and drinking water. The proposed houses would be permanent constructions of at least 300 square feet, with toilet facilities and a minimum of three taps from the common water supply source, which should have 24 hours supply.
State governments will provide their fund requirement. Since this proposed integrated is a convergence scheme, it would draw on funds provisioned for the existing schemes and the gap will be funded under this scheme. To ensure that no one district corners the scheme benefits, it has been suggested that not more than five projects can be taken up in a district.
The ministry is understood to be consulting with HDFC for partnering the project.
The ministry’s proposal suggests that the gram panchayat executes, supervises and runs the project. However, it is not clear how the scheme would ensure that gram panchayats are actively involved and have a stake in the successful implementation of the scheme. Another aspect that is currently under discussion is working out the role of the private sector and the households.
Integrated Plan for Rural Habitats
• Rural housing, drinking water and total sanitation schemes will be merged for integrated habitat development
• The scheme may be rolled out in December 2012, well ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls
• The Centre is looking to bring in private partner HDFC for the integrated scheme
• The proposed houses will be permanent constructions of at least 300 square feet, with toilet facilities and a minimum of three taps from the common water supply source
• For maximum impact, it has been suggested that a compact cluster of at least ten houses be the unit for the scheme