| Author | Rath, Krishna Chandra |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.HS-92-25 |
| Subject(s) | Rural development--India--Cuttack
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science, School of Engineering and Technology |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. HS-92-25 |
| Abstract | The aim of this study is to see the impact of the integrated rural development programs as operationalised within the framework of the District Rural Development Agency. The study is basically focused on two aspects of the program. One is the spatio-temporal dimension of the program components at the District level taking Block as the immediate micro-level spatial unit. Second one is the impact of these programs on the rural poor in terms of income and employment and on some specific target groups (beneficiaries), specially on backward caste, small and marginal farmers. In first phase, the study highlights the spatial distribution of various IRDP components like beneficiary, credit, subsidy, investment at the Block level and the level of backwardness is identified on the basis of some selected rural development indicators. The study finds that there is no relationship between levels of backwardness and levels of investment under IRDP which indicate that the IRDP investment at the Block level is done ignoring the objective criteria of the IRDP. In the second phase an impact evaluation has been done to see the impact of the IRDP on the rural poor. The findings of the study are (1) majority of the beneficiaries have not crossed the poverty line (2) Among all the categories small farmers and non-agricultural labourers have been more successful than other categories in crossing the poverty line (3) Backward caste group have been more successful in getting additional working days and increasing the income than other caste groups ( 4 )Non-farm based programs have been more successful than the farm based programs in helping the beneficiaries to cross the poverty line (5) The amount of assistance plays a significant role in both increasing employment and increasing income. The study has emphasized that a rethinking is necessary about the IRDP. The program was basically designed to help the poorest of the poor in the rural areas. But as the present study shows, this program is full of malpractices of the bureaucracy in the development administration, corrupt officials and village middlemen. The beneficiaries have to share a major part the capital with these elements. The subsidy part of the loan considered as free gifts were continuously misused by beneficiaries for obtaining the loans and enjoyed by the officials for granting them. One can safely say that this IRDP program is not only breeding but also strengthening corruption and malpractices in bureaucratic set up. This is true that the benefits are usually not percolating to the really needy groups and also equally not suited to the requirements of the beneficiaries. |
| Year | 1992 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. HS-92-25 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology (SET) |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, J. K.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Weber, K. E. ;Dias, H. D.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Canadian International Development Agency ;Broad Based Development Program; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology |