RURAL BUILDING CENTRES - GUIDELINES
A Scheme facilitating the setting up of a network of Rural Building Centres (RBCs) through the length and breadth of the rural areas, has been launched by the Ministry of Rural Development from 1st April, 1999. The scheme represents the spirit of the enabling strategy by which access to appropriate technologies and capacity building at the grassroots level is achieved for affordable housing. The primary objectives of the setting up of Rural Building Centres are as follows :
In other words , a Building Centre will be involved in transfer of technology from ‘lab to land’, production of cost effective building materials for sale and providing training.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
A Rural Building Centre can be set up by the State Government, rural development agencies, credible NGOs, private entrepreneurs, professional associations, autonomous institutions and corporate bodies, including public sector agencies. Selection of agencies, individuals etc. found eligible to set up a Rural Building Centre shall be done by the Ministry of Rural Development.
LAND AND BUILDING
About 1.2 to 2 acres of land is required for setting up a Building Centre. The Centre should have a built enclosure in the form of a building or shed for commencing the initial phase of activity. It is suggested that the building space of upto 200 sq. metres would be sufficient for the activities of the Building Centre. The space should provide for the needs of administration office, material/equipment storage, a lecture demonstration hall, casting shed/space etc. The construction should be as far as possible utilising cost effective environment friendly materials for demonstration effect.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
The organisational structure of RBCs should be flexible in favour of an entrepreneurial non bureaucratic set up that ensures operational autonomy and ability to function at the desired pace and respond dynamically to the changing circumstances. Each building centre can evolve its own management pattern that meets the performance requirements. The organisational set up should be so identified that the Building Centres secure the cooperation of the district administration, R & D and educational institutions, development agencies, NGOs financing institutions etc. in the local area.
The success of any Centre lies in the positioning of a dedicated and motivated group of professsionals who are wedded to the cost effective technologies in housing and building development. Since each Centre will select its own scope of activities in the light of local needs and situation, there cannot be a uniform pattern of staffing. However, the nature of most activities require professional guidance and supervision. As indicated, the success of a Building Centre depends on the motivation and the technical managerial skills of the project manager. For this, in addition to technical skills they should also have knowledge of construction management, human resource management, communication skills, financial management etc. to achieve the organisational goals.
PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE
The Ministry of Rural Development may extend a maximum grant in aid of Rs 15 lakh for setting up a Rural Building Centre. The level of grant in aid for which a Building Centre will be eligible to receive will vary on case to case basis and the variety of tasks intended to be taken up as reflected in the project document. Applications are encouraged