Government of India

Ministry of Rural Areas & Employment

Subject:- Guidelines for intensifying training related activities in strengthening/Establishment of State Centres for training in Rural Development and Strengthening/Establishment of Extension Training Centres.Since the VIth Plan, this Ministry has been administering two schemes respectively entitled "Strengthening/Establishment of State Centres for training in Rural Development"and "Strengthening/Establishment of Extension Training Centres." Under the former, the funding pattern envisaged 100% coverage of Non-recurring expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. 30 lakhs for an existing State Centre for Training in Rural Development and Rs. 55 lakh for a new State Institute of Rural Development plus Rs. 20 lakh for purchase of equipment. Recurring expenditure is to be shared on a 50:50 basis between the State and the Central Govt. As far as the "ETCs" are concerned, the funding pattern is as follows:-

1. 100% of Non-recurring expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. 5 lakh for an existing ETC and Rs. 16.60 lakh for a new ETC. 100% of annual recurring expenditure subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1.00 lakh per centre
2. Though substantial progress has been made towards strengthening training activities, serious lacunae persist, namely, the absence of core faculty, inadequate training software, lack of training aids/computers, poor infrastructure, low levels of budgetary support and administrative assistance. Levels of Govt. of India, assistance, receipt through uniform schemes, have not attained criticality and most SIRDs (and ETCs) have not really become strong training institutions.
3. Given the recent enactment of the 73^rd Amendment, which entails the setting up of Panchayati Raj Institutions all over the country and will shortly throw up around 25-30 lakh elected representatives requiring training, particularly in matters relating to rural development, there is an urgent need to intensify and strengthen training infrastructure, both at the State and at the district level.
4. With a view to optimize the use of existing resources/physical infrastructure, it is felt that SIRDs/ETCs/PRTCs, which constitute the most vide-spread network of training institutes should be strengthened and training activities suitably intensified through a selective, need based approach instead of adopting uniform criteria for fund allocation.
5. The matter was examined in consultation with NIRD and the States, and it has been decided to modify the funding pattern mentioned in para 1 above as follows:-

a     For SIRD- Upto 75% of the funds allocated annually would be utilized to intensify training related activities in selected states, with particular emphasis on those which would require training for Panchayati Raj functionaries. The central assistance for the purpose would be 100%. The remaining funds allocated annually will be utilized to support the state centres for training in rural development as per existing guidelines.

b    For ETCs – Upto 75% of the funds allocated annually would be utilized to intensify training related activities in selected states, with particular emphasis on those, which would require training for PR functionaries. The central assistance for the purpose would be 100%. The remaining funds allocated annually will be utilized to extend support to the Extension Training Centres as per existing guidelines with the exception of recurring expenditure where it is proposed to increase the ceiling from Rs. 1.00 lakh per ETC to Rs. 5.00 lakh per ETC.

c       100% funding support would be available to cover expenditure on, procuring the services of upto 5 senior faculty member for Rural Engineering Rural Development/ information Education Communication/ Popular participation/Village level Planning Credit/Agriculture/Extension/Social Education/Animal husbandry/Public Health/Co-operatives etc. on consultancy/contract basis; augmentation of Library/Documentation facilities, development of study material cases, study, technical notes, programmes contingencies including allowances to participants, installation of NICNET/DESNIC system and the upgradation of lecture, conference rooms/office buildings, hostels etc.

6        States/UTs submit detailed proposals in the light of the revised funding pattern. It may be noted that no approval/sanction for the creation of posts would be accorded under this scheme or would purely construction-based schemes be accommodated. Further, given the Ministry’s intention to gradually phase out the level of assistance currently being provided for recurring expenses, the State may take steps to suitably augment the resource base to cover such requirements.

7       In addition, a proposal under the modified scheme would be accompanied by a brief statement of its plan/policies for Rural Development training, particularly keeping in view the training need of Panchayati Raj functionaries and associated functionaries of different development departments.

8     In order to provide policy guidance for and to ensure efficient implementation/monitoring/supervision/evaluation of Rural Development training programmes, state Govt. shall set up a ‘State Level Advisory Committee’ for Rural Development, Training under the Chairmanship of ‘Chief Secretary or Principal Secretary/Secretary-in-charge of Rural Development/Panchayati Raj. The State Governments may also consider nominating at least three Chairpersons of Zilla Parishad of which one should be a lady and one each from the SC and ST.

9           The State Govt. should declare the SIRD; or the State Institute of Public Administration as the case may be, as the State Level Apex Training Institute in Rural Development inter-alia keeping in mind the following:-

1. The level and number of officials requiring training in Rural Development
2. The types of courses to be run in the sphere of Rural Development such as foundation courses, for fresh entrants, inter-level (on promotion from one management level to another); induction courses, periodical refresher courses for all officials, non-officials functionaries of Rural Development, functional courses concerning new programmes in rural development for officials directly implementing rural development schemes and trainers’ courses
3. The types and number of research projects to be undertaken in the field of rural development.

10      The State Governments are strongly urged to take steps to grant financial and administrative autonomy to the SIRD, being the Apex Training Institute of the State on Rural Development with a view to facilitate appointments and essential training-related expenditure and to ensure freedom from excessive control.

11     On being declared as an autonomous/registered society, the affairs of the SIRD will be governed by a ‘Governing Body’. The Advisory Committee may also function as the Governing Body. The Governing Body should interalia have the powers to approve the budget proposals of the Institute; create new posts for the Institute within the sanctioned budget; exercise all financial powers of the Finance Department within the sanctioned budget; received and approve the audited accounts/Annual Report of the Institute; approve policy guidelines regarding nature of training and research programmes; approve the exact number and duration of courses to be run during the clender year; approve the basic thrust of research programme of the Instt.; approve receipt of donations and grants; seek affiliation with a university of research organisation and to enable grant of degree or certificates to its fellowship holders; enter into exchange programmes with foreign universities and research organisations after seeking the explicit approval of the State and to be the appointing, and disciplinary authority for all group ‘A’ and group ‘B’ employees. The Governing Body will follow their own procedure in this regard.

12      The SIRDs shall compulsorily conduct the following training courses each year.  

Courses on Training Skills and Methodology for ETCs

Courses on Planning & Implementation of RD Projects.

Orientation course on RD for non-officials

Course on Rural Credit.

Course on Computer Information System for RD

Foundation Course for Block Development Officers

Course of DWCRA

Course on the Role of Voluntary Organisation in RD

Course on Management Development Programme

Course on Technology Support Service for RD

Course on Multi-Level Planning

Course on integrated watershed development in the context of Rural Development Programmes

Course on Participal Rural Appraisal and Rapid Rural Appraisal.

13      The Extension Training Centres shall design training modules in consultation with NIRD and SIRD, and thereafter compulsorily conduct courses for:

• Rural artisans
• Rural entrepreneurs
• Gram Sevaks/Gram Sevikas/VLWs
• Secretaries of Panchayats and Co-operatives
• Sarpanch and Panch of Gram Panchayats
• Grass-root level functionaries of all other development departments
• Office bearers of social service organisations dealing in rural development programmes
• Orientation to sustainable Development themes like Watershed Development
• Convergence of important social sectorial themes at the field level.

14       All the ETCs in the State shall function under the control and guidance of the SIRD as the Apex Training Institute on Rural Development. Specific orders in this respect would be issued by the State Govt.

15     The State Govt. shall provide adequate budgetary support to SIRD and ETCs.

16    The State Govt. shall get up a system, preferably with the help of eminent experts and in consultation with NIRD, for monitoring and evaluation of the working and progress of SIRDs and ETCs.

The following modifications in the guidelines of the scheme of strengthening of SIRD, has also been incorporated vide Ministry’s letter No T.18011/2/98-Trg. Dated 5^th February, 1999:

For successful and effective implementation of schemes, the controlling officers of SIRDs should have a stable tenure of at least two years. No Officer can be held accountable if they are frequently transferred sometimes at intervals of 3-6 months. The State Governments should have complete and unfettered discretion in transfers and posting of individual officers, and should be free to transfer an officer even before two years, however, it will be desirable and perhaps necessary that the average stay for Directors of SIRDs and, if possible, of other officers of the Institute, is maintained above two years.
 

Therefore, it has been decided that the State Governments/SIRDs should fulfil one of the three following conditions to make them eligible for Central Grants in respect of non-recurring expenditure of their SIRDs from Government of India under the existing scheme of "Strengthening of State Centre for Training and Rural Development (SIRDs):-

1) The present Director should have been on the past for at least one year at the time of sending of the proposals for Central Assistance by the State Governments to the Government of India; or

2)  The previous incumbent should have been there as Director, SIRD for at least two years; or

3)  The average tenure of last three Directors should have been at least two years. Other conditions for release of grants would remain in the same as per existing guidelines.

MINISTRY OF RURAL AREAS & EMPLOYMENT

TRAINING DIVISION

Guidelines for seeking Financial Assistance under OTC Schemes

Introduction.

Organisation of Training Courses is a Central sector Plan Scheme and has been in operation since 1980-81.

Under this scheme various training courses, seminars and workshops on issues relevant to the Ministry of Rural Areas and Employment, are conducted to train the Rural Development functionaries in the implementation of rural development schemes in States/UTs.

The following guidelines for the scheme would facilitate objective and balanced examination of the proposals and fruitful utilisation of limited funds while serving the overall training needs of the country for rural development.

Procedure for seeking financial assistance under the schemes:
 
  The Institutions/Organisations desirous to seek financial assistance under the scheme are required to apply in the prescribed proforma(Annexure I).

Eligibility

Only the proposals having bearing on rural development received from reputed research or academic institutions including universitiy, Deptt. Etc. Of repute may be considered. Preference will be given to the organisations having reputation and experience of all India nature.
 
  In case of NGO the recommendation of the Secretary(Rural Development) of the State Govt. (In which it is operating) will also be required.

Purpose and Scope

Financial assistance will be given mainly for those training courses, seminars and workshops having bearing on rural development with particular reference to Poverty Alleviation with special thrust on improving the living conditions of small and marginal farmers, agricultural labourers, rural artisans, women and those belonging to SC/ST categories. An illustrative list of subjects is given below:
 
a) Rural Development(both self-employment and wage- employment.

b) Rural water supply and sanitation

c) Land Reforms

d) Development of special problem areas like drought prone areas, desert prone areas etc.

e) Training of rural functionaries

f) Rural Housing

g)Training and Employment of rural women and youth belonging to BPL families.

h) Panchayati Raj

i) Problems of SCs/STs in the context of PAPs.
 
 

Extent of Assistance

The total quantum of assistance for an individual proposal will not exceed Rs.2.00 lakhs for 50 participants for a seminar/workshop/training course held for not more than a week.  The quantum of assistance will be decided by Committee. 75% of the approved assistance will be released before the Seminar and 25% after the seminar, after receiving the necessary papers presented in the Seminar.

Components

          2. Travel cost of the participants

Terms and condition

1. The funds should not be used for any purpose other than that approveby the Committee.

2. Any unspent balance should be returned immediately

3. A statement of expenditure duly certified by the Head of the Deptt. willhave to be furnished immediately after the completion of the aforesaidseminar.

4. The Institution should also provide an utilisation certificate duly attested/certified by a Chartered Accountant.

5.  The Institution shall send to the Ministry two complete sets of papersreceived/presented during the seminar. In case of training, detailed training programme should be submitted to the Ministry.

6. The material should be circulated to all participants and those related with policy formulations.

To facilitate objective examination of the proposals the Institute/Organisations will furnish the following information to the Ministry:-

I)    A self-contained proposal should be submitted by the Institute/Organisation.

II) Copies of Annual reports/Audited accounts/Balance Sheets for the last 2 or 3 years should be enclosed by the concerned institution/organisation while submitting the proposal.

III) Details of professionals/Faculty Members/Guest Speakers who would be participating in the Workshop should be furnished.

IV) Details of training courses conducted/seminars organised in thepast.

V) The information as to whether the Institute is registered under any particular Act like Society Registration Act etc. and whether it is a non-profit organisation should also be mentioned. Copies of the Memorandum of Association of the Institutions, Certificate of Registration, and otherdocuments relating to constitution should be supplied to the Ministry.

ANNEXURE
 

PROFORMA FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSAL FOR SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER ORGANISATION OF TRAINING COURSES/WORKSHOPS/SEMINARS(O.T.C.) SCHEMES.

…………..
 
 

ABOUT THE APPLICANT/INSTITUTION:

1.Name and full address of the Applicant/ :

Institution

2. Status/level of applicant :
 
 

3. Registration No., year and details of :

Registration (Registered under Society’s

Registration Act,. 1860(21 of 1860) of

any other relevant Act. Specify) or

Whether it is a non-profit organisation.

(Copies of the Memorandum of Association

of the Institution, certificate of Registration

and other documents relating toConstitution

should be attached)

4. Details of Management of the Organisation.:

5. Objects and activities of the Organisation:

6. Copies of Annual report for the last :

3 years.

7. Brief financial position of the Organisation, :

its audit position and Balance

Sheets for the last 3 years

8 .Details of Training Courses conducted/ :

Seminars organised in the past.

DETAILS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME TO BE ASSISTED:

1.Title of the Programme

2.Purpose of the Programme

3.Proposed activities and objectives :

sought to be achieved.

4. Time schedule for the Programme

5. The applicant’s capability to :

achieve the above mentioned objectives

in the light of past experience.

6. Details of the participants(their :

level and member)

7. Details of professionals, Faculty :

8. Members and Guest Speakers participating

in the Programme.

ESTIMATED EXPENDIDTURE TO BE INCURRED FOR THE PROPOSED PROGRAMME

Amount required for the proposed :

Programme.

2. Item-wise details of the expenditure :

3. Amount likely to be incurred by the :

Applicant.

Source of funding of balance amount.

Other official financial assistance:

Non-official financial resources :

Loan received from Financial Bank/

Sympathisers/Volunteers :

(iv) Alternative arrangement, if any :
 
 
 
 

Signature of the Applicant