INCENTIVIZATION AWARD
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj incentivizes Panchayats and states for their performance.
- To encourage states to empower Panchayats, performance of states is measured through a Devolution Index (DI) prepared by an independent agency and token awards are given to the states which rank high on DI.
- For 2012-13, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Tripura ranked high on Cumulative Panchayat Strengthening Index (PSI) and Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Odisha ranked high on Incremental PSI.
- These states were awarded on the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April, 2013 by the Prime Minister.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
- Urban population recorded annual growth rate of 2.76% during 2001-11.
- The number of town dwellers, is growing by around 5 million a year.
- Urban areas are now acknowledged as “engines of economic growth” and more than 60% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) emanates from urban areas.
- In India, urban areas are defined on the basis of two criteria:
- First, the state government grants municipal status, viz. Corporation, Municipal Council, notified town area committee or Nagar Panchayat, etc. to an existing settlement. Such settlements are known as statutory or municipal towns in the census definition of urban areas.
- Second, if a settlement does not have an urban civic status, but satisfies demographic and economic criteria, like population more than 5,000, density more than 400 persons per square kilometre and 75% male workforce in the non-agricultural sector, it can be termed as a census town.
RAJIV AWAS YOJANA (RAY)
- In pursuance of Government’s vision of “Slum Free India“, Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) was launched in June, 2011 in two phases;
- Preparatory Phase for a period of two years which ended in June, 2013
- Implementation Phase (2013-2022)
- There will be two fold strategy to tackle slums (a) Curative Strategy for slum redevelopment of all existing slums; and (b) Preventive Strategy for containment of growth of further slums.
- Central assistance under RAY would be contingent upon implementation of reforms as per timelines agreed, for which a Memorandum of Agreement would be executed by States/UTs/ULBs indicating commitment to implement reforms.
- Under the scheme, a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund to encourage lending for affordable housing to EWS/ LIG Households, for loans upto 5 lakh with initial corpus of Rs.1,000 crore from the Central Government has been set up with the approval of the Cabinet.
- The Affordable Housing in Partnership Scheme, which is intended to encourage public private partnerships for creation of affordable housing stock is dovetailed into RAY.
- Under the scheme central support will be provided at the rate of Rs.75000 per unit of affordable dwelling unit.
- The scheme extends to all cities covered under RAY and rental housing units as well as dormitories for new migrants are also permissible under the scheme.
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU NATIONAL URBAN RENEWAL MISSION (JNNURM)
- Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRM) was launched on 3rd December, 2005.
- The Mission comprises two Sub-Missions:
- Basic Services to the Urban Poor (BSUP)
- Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIC).
- BSUP is being implemented in select 65 cities. The duration of the Mission was 7 years (2005-2012). It has been extended till 03.2015 for completion of on-going projects sanctioned till 31.03.2012.
- Under Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP) a total of 1082 projects with total project cost of Rs.11877.29 crore comprising central share of Rs.7604.04 crore have been approved for construction / up gradation of 5.59 lakh dwelling units in 919 small cities/towns.
