ANDHRA PRADESH ICT POLICY 2010-2015

GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT

ICT POLICY 2010-2015

The State of Andhra Pradesh is pioneer in offering the best incentives and facilitations for the growth of the ICT sector, with business friendly policies and proactive approach of the Government.

The Government has announced first Information Technology (IT) Policy for promoting the IT Industry and IT Enabled Services in the State on 25-05-1999. The IT Policy was modified & revised as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policy subsequently w.e.f. 27-06-2002. The present ICT Policy 2005-2010 came into force w.e.f. 21-03-2005 and valid upto 5 years. Due to the Policy initiatives IT sector in the State of Andhra Pradesh has grown by leaps and bounds during the last decade The employment created by IT sector in 1999 was 12,000 and this increased to 2,51,786, that is an increase of 20 times by 2009. The export turnover in 1999 was Rs.284 crores, which has reached to Rs.32,509 crores in 2009, recording an increase of 110 times. As of now, the share of IT exports from the State of Andhra Pradesh occupies 15% of national IT exports. IT sector contributes to more than 49% of total exports from all sectors in the State. AP State is ranked 4^th in IT performance in the Country.

In order to bring out a pragmatic ICT Policy 2010-2015, the State Government has constituted Focus Groups with major stakeholders, i.e., heads of companies of various verticals of ICT Sector – IT, ITES, Animation, Gaming & Digital Entertainment, Communications, SMEs, IT-HR, IT-Infrastructure providers, Industry Associations, such as, ITsAP (Hysea), Vizag IT Association (VITA), National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), CII, AMCHAM, TiE, and Indian School of Business (ISB), STPI, etc., and extensively deliberated on the design of the ICT Policy 2010-2015, with these focus groups. The evolution of ICT Policy 2010-2015 is largely founded on this interaction.

Objectives of ICT Policy 2010-2015:

ICT PROMOTION

The objective of the ICT Policy 2010-2015 is to make Andhra Pradesh one of the fore runners in IT sector in the Country through (i) provision of congenial, industrial friendly and proactive climate for IT companies to locate, grow and sustain their operations most competitively in a hassle-free environment in the State.(ii)creation of employment opportunities to the educated youth of all sections of the Society across all regions, (iii)achieving higher levels of export turnover resulting in enhanced productivity, and augmentation of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) (iv)To spread IT to nook & corner of the State and (v) leverage Information Technology as a tool for the socio-economic development of the State .

Based on the national projections on growth rate of ICT sector made by NASSCOM, Andhra Pradesh aspires conservatively to achieve the following by 2015.

Parameter	Target to reach by 2015
Growth of IT Exports	Rs.70,000 crores (US$15 billion )
Projected Annual Growth Rate	17%
Generation of new direct IT employment	1.25 lakhs+ (125,000)
Generation of new indirect IT employment *	5 lakhs+ (500,000)

*NASSCOM estimates that every direct job in IT creates four indirect jobs in other sectors of the society.

Special Focus Areas:

Sectors/areas which are identified for active promotion in the present Policy 2010-2015 apart from the general IT & ITES Industry are:

1. Start up companies

2. SMEs

3. IT Product/R&D Companies

4. SC/ST Entrepreneurs

5. Women Entrepreneurs

6. Animation, Gaming & Digital Entertainment

7. Engineering services

8. Tier II locations

9. Tier III locations

10. Promotion of IT Incubation Facilities at Engineering Colleges

11. Corporate Social Responsibility

12. Promotion of Women’s participation in ICT Sector

13. Electronic Hardware (non-hazardous)

14. eGovernance – Local language promotion, CSCs, State Wide Area New Work, State Date Centre

Strategies to achieve The Targets enunciated in the ICT Policy 2010-2015:

In order to promote Andhra Pradesh as an ideal investment destination, the following strategies are planned:

· Creation of State-of-the-Art and affordable ICT infrastructure that provides an enabling “Walk to Work” environment for IT/ITES units to thrive and grow. The Government will strive to create such an infrastructure and also leverage the Public-Private Partnerships Model as a vehicle for development.

· Provide industry-grade skill up-gradation and training to the students to suit to the requirement of industry and for obtaining gainful employment.

· Support Research & Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the area of ICT.

· Strive to make Andhra Pradesh as a location of preference for all types of ICT Companies, showcase inherent strengths, such as cost effective ICT destination with marginal operating cost, low cost of living and safe and secure social life.

· Widen the scope of ICT base by encouraging new verticals such as Animation, Gaming & Digital Entertainment, IT Products & Services in Engineering , Retail, Health Management, power & telecom sectors, etc

· Encourage Start ups, Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Women and socially challenged communities, viz., Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes, etc. of the society, through unique incentives and facilitation

· Promote other prominent cities/towns in the State as emerging Tier-II and Tier III IT Hubs.

Initiatives in the ICT Policy 2010-2015:

The following are the specific incentives, available to IT Industry (subject to fulfillment of eligibility criteria and terms & conditions, as stipulated):

(1) Allotment of Government land:

(i)All allotments of Government land to the IT Industry are made subject to availability, fulfillment of certain eligibility criteria by the applicant IT/ITES company, and on payment of land cost & development cost, as determined from time to time by the allotment agencies, i.e., AP Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (APIIC)/Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) and the concerned local Statutory Authorities.

(ii) The eligibility criteria for allotment of land to IT industry is -

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Area:

(i) As on the date of application (a) the IT company shall have been in operation at least for the last five financial years (b) shall have an existing employee strength of minimum 1000 in IT or 1500 in ITES/BPO activities on its rolls & sustained for the last two years, and (c) shall have a minimum annual turn over of Rs.50 crores, from IT/ITES activities from their existing operations continuously for the last two financial years.

(ii) IT Product/R&D companies - the eligibility for consideration for allotment of land is that the company shall have the existing employee strength of minimum 500 on its rolls & sustained for the last two years, with a minimum annual turnover of Rs.25 crores or investment of Rs. 25 crores and shall have been in operation at least for the last five financial years. The Product Company applying for land would have obtained approval for a minimum 1 patent/copy right and registered/filed for approval of 3 patents/copyrights with the Competent Statutory Authority

Tier II locations: (Indentified as Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kakinada and Warangal)

Visakhapatnam:

As on the date of application (a) the IT company shall have been in operation at least for the last two financial years, (b) shall have an existing employee strength of minimum 250 in IT/ITES activities, on its rolls. A product/R&D company shall have an existing employee strength of minimum 100.

Vijayawada, Tirupati, Kakinada and Warangal:

As on the date of application (a) the IT company shall have been in operation at least for the last two financial years, (b) shall have an existing employee strength of minimum 100 employees in IT/ITES activities, on its rolls.

(iii) The land recommended for allotment shall be based on creating a fresh direct IT employment of 500 and construction of 50,000 sft. of office space for every one acre allotted within 3 years from the date of taking over possession of land, failing which the said allotted land is liable for cancellation and can be taken back to the extent to which proportionate employment is not generated For product companies the fresh additional employment to be created shall be 200 per acre on the land allotted.

(iv) Tier-III locations (Identified in any District other than HMDA area and Tier-II locations):

As on the date of application the IT company shall have been (a) in operation for at least two financial years and (b) an existing employee strength of minimum 75 employees in IT/ITES activities, on its rolls.

Companies availing the allotment of land incentive are not eligible for 100%/50% Stamp duty reimbursement

(2) Mega Projects:

A special and up front negotiated package of incentives, will be offered for mega projects set up by ICT Multinational Corporations (MNCs) and IT majors. Mega Projects are defined as such ICT projects, with present employment of more than 1000 in the case of IT and 1500 in the case of ITES and an annual turnover of more than Rs.100 crores for the last 3 years

(3)Technology & Market Support:

Government will support IT Exporters Associations, ITsAP, NASSCOM, ELIAP, STPI, IEG, or any such organisation (as decided by the committee) in the creation of Library for making available material on trends in technology, market intelligence, research reports and analysis etc by contributing Rs.10 lakhs per annum for development of the SME sector by making such material available at these libraries.

(4)Business Networking:

Government shall promote and encourage participation in international events by the ICT industry by leading a Government-Industry business delegation to the identified international ICT Exhibition & Conferences, such as Cebit, Germany, Gitex-Dubai, Outsource World (New York/London) Communic Asia, Singapore, Comdex, USA, MIPCOM, Emmy, ATF, MIPCOM, MIPTV, ANNECY, GDC, SIGGGRAPH, Internet World, London, etc., in IT/ITES/Animation areas, every year. Govt, along with industry associations, such as ITsAP, NASSCOM, shall hire appropriate Stall space to exhibit products and services of AP based ICT companies and help in their marketing efforts.

SPECIFIC INCENTIVES FOR SPECIAL FOCUS AREAS

STARTUPS:

(Startup is defined as having 0-5 yrs operating history, 0-50 employees and turnover upto Rs.50 lakhs )

(a) 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by start up companies on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.

(b) 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by start up companies on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction

(c) Providing 25% subsidy on lease rentals upto Rs.5 lakhs per annum maximum upto a period of three years, for the plug-and-play built up office space ranging from 1000 sft to 5000 sft, leased by Start Ups in STPI, IT/multi-purpose SEZs/IT Parks(both Public & Private promoted).

(d) Recruitment Assistance of Rs.2.5 lakhs for recruitment made upto 50 IT professionals within a period of one year

(e) Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in notified national/ international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

(f) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

(g) 25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(h) Reimbursement of patent filing cost to a maximum of Rs.2 Lakhs per patent awarded per annum

SMEs:

(SMEs are defined as having turnover of more than Rs.50 lakhs and less than Rs.10 crores per annum)

(a) 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by SME companies on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction. This incentive is not eligible in case Government land is allotted

(b) 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by SME companies on sale/lease deeds on the 2^nd transaction. This incentive is not eligible in case Government land is allotted.

(c) Providing 25% subsidy on lease rentals upto Rs.5 lakhs per annum maximum upto a period of three years, for the plug-and-play built up office space ranging from 1000 sft to 5000 sft, leased by SMEs in STPI, IT/multi-purpose SEZs/IT Parks(both Public & Private promoted).

(4) Providing 25% subsidy on lease rentals upto Rs.5 lakhs per annum maximum upto a period of three years, for the plug-and-play built up office space ranging from 1000 sft to 5000 sft, leased space.

(e) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

(f) 25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(g) Rs.10 Lakhs as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 200 IT employees within 2 years of commencement of commercial operations.

(h) Reimbursement of 20% of expenditure incurred for obtaining quality certification limited to a maximum of Rs.4 lakhs

(i) Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in notified national/ international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

(j) Tie up with reputed Business Analyst Firms to evaluate the strengths of SMEs - so that SMEs can market themselves in international markets.

(k) Facilitate linkages of smaller ICT companies with bigger firms

Product/R&D companies:

(Product/R&D companies are having minimum 100 employees, invested Rs.10 cr and have turn over of Rs.10 crores, having obtained 1 patent and applied for 3 patents)

1. 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by IT product/R&D companies on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.
2. 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by IT product/R&D companies on sale/lease deeds on the 2^nd transaction.
3. Rs.15 Lakhs as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 150 IT employees within two years of commencement of commercial operations
4. Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in notified national/ international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.
5. admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff
6. 25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.
7. Reimbursement of patent filing cost to a maximum of Rs.2 Lakhs per patent awarded per annum

SC/ST Entrepreneurs:

• 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.

• 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction.

• Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

• 50% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 5 years or Rs.50 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

• Rs.10 Lakhs as recruitment assistance, basing on the level of employment generated, for employing minimum 100 IT employees within three years of commencement of commercial operations, , i.e., Rs.5 lakhs for first 50 employment generated in the first year, Rs.2.5 lakhs to the next 25 employees in the 2nd year, and Rs.2.5 lakhs for the remaining 25 employees employed at the end of third year.

• 100% Exhibition stall rental cost will be reimbursed for participating in the notified national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

• Reimbursement of patent filing cost to a maximum of Rs.2 Lakhs per patent awarded per annum

• 100% reimbursement of Stamp duty and transfer duty paid on financial deeds and mortgages etc.

• 33- 1/3 % rebate on land cost in IEs/IDAs I.T. Parks I.T. SEZs (both Public & Private)up to Rs.5 lk

• 25% investment subsidy on fixed capital Investment will be given to SC and ST Entrepreneurs and additional 5% investment subsidy for SC Women and ST Women Entrepreneurs, with a maximum limit per unit of Rs.25 Lakhs.

• 8.5% Interest subsidy on Prime Lending Rate (PLR) will be given on the term loan and working capital subject to a maximum of Rs. 5.00 Lakhs per year for a period of 5 years for units which commence commercial production

• 50% subsidy on the expenses incurred for quality certification, limited to Rs. 2.00 Lakhs.

• Reservation of 15% built up office space for SC/ST entrepreneurs in the Govt promoted Incubation Centres.

Women Entrepreneurs:

• 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.

• 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction.

• 50% subsidy on the expenses incurred for quality certification limited to Rs.2 Lakh.

• 100% Exhibition stall rental cost will be reimbursed for participating in the notified national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

• Rs.10 Lakhs as recruitment assistance, basing on the level of employment generated, for employing minimum 100 IT employees within three years of commencement of commercial operations i.e., Rs.5 lakhs for first 50 employement generated in the first year , Rs.2.5 lakhs to the next 25 employees in the 2nd year, and Rs.2.5 lakhs for the remaining 25 employees employed at the end of third year.

• Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

• 50% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 5 years or Rs.50 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

• Reimbursement of patent filing cost to a maximum of Rs.2 Lakhs per patent awarded per annum

• 100% reimbursement of Stamp duty and transfer duty paid by the industry on financial deeds and mortgages

• 25% rebate in land cost(33 1/3 % in case of SC/ST Women Entrepreneurs) in IEs/IDAs/ I.T. Parks I.T. SEZs (both Public & Private) limited to Rs.5.00 Lakhs

• 20% Investment subsidy on fixed capital investment subject to a maximum of Rs.20.00 lakhs.

• 5% interest subsidy(8.5% in case of women SC/ST Entrepreneurs) on Prime Lending Rate (PLR) will be given on the term loan taken subject to a maximum of Rs.5.00 lakh per year for a period of 5 years for units which commence commercial production

Animation, Gaming & Digital Entertainment:

Develop state-of-the-art Gaming and Animation Facility, which shall comprise of Built up incubation space, Shared Studios, Processing Labs, Media Centre, Conference facilities, Transit Office/Business Centre., etc. The PPP model also will be used to create the above infrastructure.

(b) Start Animation & Gaming Academy in collaboration with reputed Gaming & Animation industry

(c) For creating public awareness on promoting Animation films produced locally, Govt will organize Animation & Gaming promotion events

(d) 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on the first transaction. This incentive is not available in case Government land is allotted.

(e) 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction. This incentive is not available in case Government land is allotted

(f) Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in the notified national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

(g) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

(h)25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(iRs.15 Lakhs as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 100 employees within one year of commencement of commercial operations

(j) promote a full-fledged Gaming & Animation City to cater to the requirements of digital entertainment sector in due course of time.

(k) Reimbursement of 20% of expenditure incurred on Quality Certification, limited to a maximum of Rs.4 lakhs.

Engineering Services:

(Software Companies primarily engaged in applying principles of engineering in the design, development, and utilization of machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, & systems with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing Software Tools)

(a)100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on the first transaction.

(b) 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction.

(c) Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in the international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

(d) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

(e) 25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(f) Rs.15 Lakhs as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 100 employees within one year of commencement of commercial operations .

(g) Reimbursement of 20% of expenditure incurred for obtaining quality certifications for CMM Level 2 upwards. Reimbursement will be limited to a maximum of Rs.4 lakhs. Similar reimbursement will be made to BS7799 for security and also for ITES Companies for achieving COPC and eSCM certification.

(h) Reimbursement of patent filing cost to a maximum of Rs.2 Lakhs per patent awarded per annum.

Electronics Hardware (non-hazardous)

Keeping in view the importance of growth of electronic hardware (non-hazardous) industry to support the IT sector, Government will provide the following incentives to the Hardware Industry(non-hazardous)::

(a) 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by Electronic Hardware companies on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.

(b)50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid by Electronic Hardware companies on sale/lease deeds on the 2^nd transaction

(c) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

(d)25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(e) 50% Exhibition stall rental cost will be reimbursed for participating in the notified national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

(f) Patent Filing Costs will be reimbursed to a maximum of Rs.2 lakhs on successful attainment of the patents.

Tier II Locations (Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Warangal and Tirupati)

• 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction. This incentive is not available in case Government land is allotted.

• 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction. This incentive is not available in case Government land is allotted

• Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in the national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

• Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

• 25% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

• A subsidy of Rs.10 lakhs to the first five anchor IT / ITES companies employing more than 250 employees in IT or 500 employees in ITES in any Tier-II location.

• Rs.15 Lakhs as recruitment assistance for employing minimum 100 employees within two years of commencement of commercial operations in the Tier-II city.

• Free City profiling and detailed report on advantages of each Tier II location for prospective investors and entrepreneurs;

• Organising exhibitions, conferences in Tier II cities and taking IT companies located there as part of trade delegations to domestic, national and international exhibitions.

Tier III locations (Other than HMDA and Tier II locations):

• 100% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the first transaction.

• 50% reimbursement of stamp duty, transfer duty and Registration fee paid on sale/lease deeds on the 2nd transaction.

• Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in the international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space

• Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff

• 50% power subsidy on power bills for a period of 5 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

• A subsidy of Rs.10 lakhs to the first five anchor IT / ITES companies employing more than 250 employees in IT or 500 employees in ITES in any Tier-III location.

• Rs.15 Lakhs as recruitment assistance, basing on the level of employment generated, for employing minimum 100 IT employees within three years of commencement of commercial operations in identified Tier-III location, i.e., Rs.5 lakhs for first 50 employment generated in the first year, Rs.2.5 lakhs to the next 25 employees in the 2nd year, and Rs.2.5 lakhs for the remaining 25 employees employed at the end of third year. This incentive is available only for the first 5 anchor companies as identified by the Government.

• Government shall strive to create Incubation Centres and IT Parks depending on need based requirement.

• Government shall take steps to see that the “e-learning” concept is widely used by the students in Tier III locations.

Promotion of IT Incubation Facilities at Engineering Colleges

(a) Admissibility of Industrial Power category tariff on power connection of the Business Incubation Labs

(b) 25% power subsidy on power bills consumed on the Power Meter of the Business Incubation Labs for a period of 3 years or Rs.30 lakhs which ever is earlier, from the date of commencement of commercial operations.

(c) Recruitment assistance of Rs.2.5 lakhs for recruitment of 50 local students in the Business Incubation Labs/R&D Centre/IT/ITES operation, within two years.

(d) Reimbursement of 50% exhibition subsidy for participating in the national/international exhibitions limited to 9 sq.mts of space.

IT SEZs/IT Parks/IT Campuses/ITIR

For provision of state-of-the art physical infrastructure of international standards suiting to the requirements of IT/ITES industry, the following additional incentives, are eligible for notified ITIRs/ITSEZs/IT Parks/IT Campuses in the State.

1) Exemption from Zoning Regulations:

IT industry, i.e., IT/ITES Units/Companies and IT Parks/IT Campuses notified by the IT&C Department, are exempted from the Zoning Regulations, subject to ensuring environmental safeguards, and the payment of conversion charges under the provisions of AP Urban Area Development Act 1975 or AP Town Planning Act 1920 as applicable for the location of IT/ITES Units/Companies as stipulated under the Revised Building Rules of Municipal Administration & Urban Development (M) Department and amendments thereon from time to time, basing on the terms and conditions stipulated in the

2) IT/ITES Units/Companies/IT Parks so notified by Information Technology and Communications Department are exempted from payment of land usage conversion charges.

3) No limitation on height of buildings and FAR/FSI, subject to payment of City Level Infrastructure Impact Fee and would be governed by, Revised Building Rules, location norms and clearances from Fire Services, Airport Authority and shall be in conformity with National Building Code, regulations, terms & conditions as per stipulations of Municipal Administration & Urban Development (M) Department and amendments thereon.

General Incentives automatically applicable to all the ICT Industry:

General incentives available to the ICT industry, automatically are:

i) IT/ITES units are exempt from the purview of the AP Pollution Control Act, except in respect of power generation sets.

ii) IT/ITES units/ companies are exempt from the purview of statutory power cuts.

iii) IT Industry is exempt from inspections under the following Acts and the Rules framed there under, barring inspections arising out of specific complaints. The IT units are permitted to file self-certificates, in the prescribed formats.

- The Factories Act 1948.

- The Maternity Benefit Act 1961.

- The AP Shops & Establishments Act 1988.

- The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act 1970.

- The Payment of Wages Act 1936.

- The Minimum Wages Act 1948.

- The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act 1959.

iv) General permission for three shift operations with women working in the night for IT/ITES units/ companies.

v) IT/ITES units/companies and non-hazardous hardware manufacturing industry are declared as essential service under AP Essential Services Maintenance Act.

IT HR PROMOTION

While the number of students graduating from the State very impressive, there is a need to upgrade their skills to suit the needs of the IT and ITEsS industry. The Government of Andhra Pradesh has many initiatives described below to meet this requirement.

(a)Jawahar Knowledge Centre(JKC) programme is a unique and first of its kind initiative in the country implemented by Institute of Electronic Governance(IEG) under the aegis of IT&C Dept. The aim of JKC is to strengthen the quality of graduates coming out of colleges by imparting Industry grade skill sets in both technical and non technical disciplines. JKC programme brings the ICT Industry, Academia, and the Government, together to make the graduating students Industry ready. At present, there are 748 JKCs in 414 engineering and 334 degree colleges spread across all regions of the State. So far, under JKC programme more than 100,000 final year students have been trained and about 25000 of them, including students from economically and socially deprived sections of the society and from rural/remote areas of the State have been provided gainful employment with IT majors. In addition, another 25,000 students have obtained placements elsewhere. JKCs will be further strengthened, and expanded, to all engineering and degree colleges in every nook & corner of the State.

(b)Under IEG, unemployed students who have passed out of the colleges, a special training programme for the SC/ST/BC/Minority/Economically backward/physically handicapped and women candidates, especially from rural areas, to obtain gainful employment will also be undertaken. IEG will also support other organizations or NGOs imparting training to the SC/STs for potential employment in the IT/ ITeS sectors. IEG will support such agencies or NGOs by providing content, mentoring, placement and infrastructure support.

(c) Government of AP (IEG) will facilitate faculty development Program in association with ICT Industry to facilitate imparting of latest industry trends and emerging technologies to the faculty.

(d) Government, through JKC, shall facilitate the stakeholders in offering guest lectures, training the faculty and setting the appropriate curriculum in the Universities to suite the requirement of the growing IT/ITES activity in the State,

(e) Skill development in student community: It is observed that the academia is not encouraging the industry participation in professional skill development for the students. Students are not exposed to the open source technologies. Hence, the following courses are proposed in various streams of education:

o Introduce Open source technology as one subject in IT professional courses

o Introduce Project management skills as one subject in Professional courses

o Update syllabus by making IT as a Mandatory for the following courses

• Mandatory Subject at graduation level

• General course at pre-university level

• One subject at high school level

o Strengthen JKC program by Encourage industry for execution of projects in participation with students & academia.

o To start rural e-literacy program in villages.

PROMOTING ANDHRA PRADESH AS A ROLE MODEL IN e-GOVERNANCE

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is front-runner in providing eGovernance services aimed to benefit the common touching the cross sections of the society and to the last mile of the State. The e-Governance projects of State Government, such as eSeva, eProcurement, Computer Aided Registration of Documents, Citizen Friendly Services of Transport are widely known across the globe and are well acknowledged. However, Government is not complacent on what it has achieved in the area of eGovernance in the State. As such, keeping the past experiences in view, in order to rejuvenate and sustain the eGovernment services more effectively, efficiently and transparently, the present policy has decided the following action plan in further extending e-Governance services:

1)APSWAN:

AP State Wide Area Net Work (AP SWAN) is under implementation connecting State Head Quarters (SHQ) with 23 District Head Quarters (DHQs)and DHQs to respective 1088 Mandal (Revenue Unit) Head Quarters (MHQs) is backbone for all Government applications of voice, data and video services. 5690 Government offices spread across AP State are connected to APSWAN. (b) Connect all village Panchayats through PPP model, (c) To enable broad band penetration to rural areas of the State by using Universal Service Obligation (USO) funding (DOT).

2)Common Service Centres

Government of India has formulated a National e-Governance Plan with the vision of providing all Government Services in an integrated manner at the doorstep of the citizen, at an affordable cost. One of the models for delivery of “Web-enabled Anytime, Anywhere access” to information and services in rural India under the project Common Services Centers (CSCs). 4,687 ICT enabled centers in the rural areas covering all the Districts will be created. The target fixed for the year 2015 is 10,000 CSCs

3)AP State Date Centre

(i)A communication network based initiative useful for all Government departments to have secure data storage through a state-of-the-art Data centre .Provides 50 TB storage space expandable to 500 TB where all Govt. departments’ data , application servers, web servers, and mail servers can be resided.

4) Encourage developing software in Telugu so that citizen services can be offered in Telugu.

Incentives for implementation of eGovernance Initiatives:

The following are specific Incentives for implementation of eGovernance Initiatives

1. Seed money for Pilot project implementation: Maximum of Rs 1.00 crore (for software development only) up to 5 departments in a year.

2. Assistance in preparation of IT road Map Detailed Project Report (DPR): To assist Departments who come forward to implement e-governance initiatives, towards Consultancy, preparation of IT road Map Detailed Project Report (DPR), an incentive limited up to 10 lakhs, up to 10 Departments in a year is made available.

3. Online workflow management: Providing the online workflow management software developed by APTS to departments to encourage online file management system, with budget not exceeding 50.00 lakhs per annum.

4. Audit for security & functionality: Providing the third party Audit for security & functionality for 10 user departments to ensure the security with budget not exceeding 1.00 crores per annum for all Departments.

5. Allocation of Budget for IT projects by the Departments: In line with government of India guidelines to keep the e-Governance as one of the priority sectors for the 10th Five Year Plan, government of AP also issued GO Ms no 14 dated 23.07.2003, guidelines are issued to all departments to implement the prioritized e-governance to earmark 2% budget other than salaries. The respective departments are directed to meet all the expenditure of e-Governance initiatives out of the earmarked budget provided under separate head created for this purpose.

FACILITATION MECHANISMS:

To offer proactive investor-friendly industrial environment, and to maintain the time bound consistency in its approvals and support to Industry and as a step forward, the following institutional mechanism is proposed:

Business Advisory Committee:

Constitution of Business Advisory Committee, under the Chairmanship of Honorable Chief Minister and Key stakeholders representing IT/ITES Industry for advising on IT promotion strategies

eGovernance Advisory Panel:

Constitution of eGovernance Advisory Panel, with stakeholders under the Chairmanship of Honble CM for eGov implementation

Single Window Mechanism:

Constitution of Special Single Window Clearance Committee for IT/ITES sector, under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary/Secretary to Government, IT&C Department, and other Heads of the Department of the concerned Government Agencies, along with industry associations such as NASSCOM, ITsAP and other IT/ITES industry associations as members, as per the provisions of Section 5(1) of the AP Industrial Single Window Clearance Act, 2002, to provide single window Pre & Post Business Facilitation service which will facilitate the IT/ITES Companies in obtaining clearances from various departments/agencies for setting up of enterprises in a time bound manner. The application forms and timelines for deemed approvals, etc. are as prescribed in the AP Industrial Single Window Clearance Act of 2002.

Consultative Committee on IT Industry (CCITI):

Constitution of Consultative Committee on IT Industry (CCITI), is a joint committee with representatives from the Government and the ICT Industry - for administering the incentives to the ICT Industry in a smooth manner, and for effectively resolving the problems, overcoming the impediments and ensuring growth of the ICT Industry in the State. The CCITI shall administer the incentives on specific application made by an ICT Company for the incentives mentioned herein. Such applications shall be prima facie scrutinized by the Sub-Committee of the CCITI headed by the Special Secretary, IT&C, in association with industry representatives, on the eligibility, veracity of technical/financial information, etc., before being placed before the CCITI for its consideration. The composition and terms of reference of CCITI and sub-committee of CCITI are specified.

IT Infrastructure Promotion Committee:

In order to provide solutions to operational issues pertaining to infrastructure, such as water, road, power, sewerage and transport in the IT Layouts, an Infrastructure Committee, under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary , IT&C, comprising the field level officers of the respective agencies and captains of IT Industry and Associations, has been formed and is in place. This Committees meets periodically to address the related issues for providing requisite facilitation to IT Industry.

IT Security & Safety Committee:

To provide appropriate security and safety to the ICT Industry in Andhra Pradesh, the Government has put in place (i) Industrial Security Task Force, headed by IG Police and (ii) IT Security & Safety Committee, headed by Commissioner of Police, Cyberabad, comprising of members representing IT industry / IT Infrastructure developers and IT Associations. Theses mechanisms address the related issues for providing the requisite comfort to IT Industry.

Corporate Social Responsibility:

The initiative of Government is to coordinate and make concerted cohesive efforts in organizing CSR programmes, in association with IT industry in a coordinated and synchronized manner, so that a visible impact is seen and felt by the society, through:-(i)Constitution of a Joint Committee comprising of Govt, Industry and Industry associations for identification of CSR initiatives in all the districts and execute them in an organized manner,(ii)Creation of a common pool of resources in the form of sponsorships in cash and kind voluntarily from the IT companies,.

Women participation in the growth of ICT Industry:

The Government wants to impress upon the ICT industry to adhere to and enforce certain key measures scrupulously to promote the participation of women in the knowledge economy. Women need to be promoted into key roles as decision makers, entrepreneurs and other senior positions. All efforts are to ensure that the self esteem, individual and collective confidence of women is held up at all levels in the organization. Women participation must be encouraged in all public and internal activities of the company. In effect, the following policies will be impressed upon the industry to meticulously adhere to as part of their HR policies.

(i) Introduce an Affirmative Action Initiative to increase the participation of women at various levels in the organization – board of directors, Vice Presidents, Executives, Senior Managers, and leaf level employees.

(ii) Follow fair practices with respect to recruitments, promotions, career opportunities, project allocations, and training opportunities, etc.

(iii) Provide congenial conditions for smooth working of the women employees.

(iv) Provide requisite safety and security for women employees at their work place during the working hours and night shifts.

(v) Provide necessary escort services for women to enable them reach their residences safely after work.

(vi) Implement in letter and spirit the statutory provisions pertaining to women employees with regard to their various types of leave entitlement such as medical, maternity, earned leave and privilege leave, etc.

(vii) Provide professional counseling arrangements to the needing women employees for handling adverse situations related to gender.

(viii) Provide a forum wherein the women employees can represent their issues and mutually interact for bettering their working conditions.

(ix) Provide periodic training to the women at all levels to achieve the above.

With the above initiatives, Information & Communications Technology sector in the Andhra Pradesh State, is slated to grow and penetrate rapidly to the last mile of the State not only for providing gainful employment for rural educated youth but also for overall balanced socio-economic development of entire Andhra Pradesh State.

India's Seed Sector Reforms

1. Seed is a critical and basic input for enhancing agricultural production and productivity in different agro-climatic regions.
2. Indian seed sector programs largely adhere to the limited generation system for seed multiplication. The system recognizes three generations, namely, breeder, foundation and certified seeds and provides adequate safeguards for quality assurance in the seed multiplication chain to maintain the purity of variety as it flows from the breeders to the farmers.
3. Indian seed programme includes the participation of Central and State governments, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), State Agricultural Universities (SAU) system, public sector, co-operative sector and private sector institutions.
4. Seed sector in India consists of two national level corporations i.e. National Seeds Corporation (NSC) and State Farms Corporation of India (SFCI), 13 State Seed Corporations (SSCs) and about 100 major seed companies.
5. For quality control and certification, there are 22 State Seed Certification Agencies (SSCAs) and 101 State Seed Testing Laboratories (SSTLs).
6. The private sector has started to play a significant role in the production and distribution of seeds. However, the organized seed sector particularly for food crops cereals continues to be dominated by the public sector.
7. The Seeds Act, 1966 provides for the legislative framework for regulation of quality of seeds sold in the country.

8. In order to encourage export of seeds in the interest of farmers, the procedure for export of seeds has been simplified. Seeds of various crops have been placed under Open General Licence (OGL) except the seeds of wild varieties, germ plasms, breeder seeds, and onion seeds which are on restricted list under the Export and Import Policy 2002-07.

9. Schemes of the Seed Division :
1. This Department has launched a Central Sector Scheme namely, “Development and Strengthening of Infrastructure Facilities for Production and Distribution of Quality Seeds” with an outlay of Rs.159 crore for the Tenth Plan. The main components of the scheme are

1. Quality Control Arrangements on seeds,

2. Transport subsidy on movement of seeds to North-East and other hilly areas,

3. Establishment and Maintenance of Seed Bank,

4. Seed Village Scheme,

5. Assistance for creation of infrastructure facilities,

6. Assistance for boosting seed production in private sector,

6. Human Resources Development,

7. Assistance for Seed Export,

8. Propagation of application of biotechnology in agriculture,

9. Promotion of use of hybrid seeds of rice and evaluation/review.
2. Implementation of Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers’ Rights Legislation: In order to fulfill the obligations under TRIPS Agreement of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which India has ratified, the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation have enacted a legislation for Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights. In order to provide necessary back-up support for enactment of the above Legislation, a Central Scheme is also under implementation. The required rules and regulations under the Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act have been notified in 2003.

The Protection and Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority envisaged under the Act has been set up w.e.f. 14 November 2005.
3. National Seed Policy 2002: The Indian government has approved a new National Seeds Policy to provide intellectual property protection to new varieties and set up institutes for the planned development of the sector will be vital instruments in attaining the objectives of doubling food production and making India hunger free.
4. Seed Crop Insurance :
The Scheme for Seed Crop Insurance has been introduced for identified crops viz. Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Jower, Bajra, Gram, Red Gram, Groundnut, Soya bean, Sunflower and Cotton in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh with a view to strengthen confidence in the existing Seed Breeders/ Growers and to provide financial security to Seed Breeders/Growers in the event of failure of Seed Crop, w.e.f Rabi 1999-2000 season. 'Breeder', 'Foundation' and 'Certified' Seeds of the crops of the Scheme covers all natural risks at the following stages:—
1.1. Failure of seed crop either in full or in part due to natural risk Loss in expected raw seed yield;
1.2. Loss of seed crop after harvest;
1.3. At seed certification stage.
Sum Insured is equivalent to the average of preceding three/five years' Foundation and Certified seed yield of the identified unit area multiplied by 'Procurement Price' of the seed crop variety prevailing in the previous season by National Seed Corporation/State Seed Corporations. The premium rates for the seeds of Wheat and Groundnut are 2 per cent of the sum insured, 2.5 per cent for Sunflower, 3 per cent for Paddy, 3.5 per cent for Jower and 5 per cent for Gram, Red Gram, Cotton, Bajra, Soya bean, and Maize. (Source indiabudget.nic.in)
5. Seed Bank :
This is a Central sector scheme for establishment & maintenance of seed bank and is in operation since 1999-2000. The Core objective is to make available seeds for contingent situations and also develop infrastructure for seed storage.
Salient Features:
5.1. Establishment of seed bank for maintenance of foundation and certified seeds of different crops to ensure timely availability of seeds to the farmers.
5.2. To take care of the special requirement of seed at the time of natural calamity
5.3. To create infrastructure facilities for production and distribution of quality seeds.
Scheme is being implemented through NSC, SFCI and seed corporations of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Orissa Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, U.P, Maharashtra ,West Bengal while the benefit of the scheme is available to the entire country. Seed of about 17 crops of various varieties which are suitable for different agro-climatic zones of the country specially for meeting any contingent situation arising out of drought / flood situation are maintained in the seed Bank.

6. Seed Village:

Despite implementation of the organized seed programme since the mid 60s, the seed replacement rate has only reached the level of 15% 85% of the seeds used are farm saved. It is, therefore, necessary to improve the stock of farm saved seeds for enhancing crop production/productivity. For this, seed production, seed distribution and other connected aspects will have to be improved and strengthened at the farmers’ level. To upgrade the quality of farmer-saved seed which is about 80-85% of the total seed used for crop production programme, it is proposed to provide financial assistance for distribution of foundation/certified seed at 50% cost of the seed of crops for production of certified /quality seeds only.

As per New Seed Policy 2002 The 'Seed Village Scheme' will be promoted to facilitate production and timely availability of seed of desired crops/varieties at the local level. Special emphasis will be given to seed multiplication for building adequate stocks of certified/quality seeds by providing foundation seed to farmers. The seed produced in the seed villages will have to be preserved/stored till the next sowing season. In order to encourage farmers to develop storagecapacity of appropriate quality, assistance will be given to farmers for making/procuring of Pusa Bin/Mud bin/Bin made from paper pulp for storing ofseed produced by the farmers on their farms.

7. Seed Bill 2004: The National Seeds Bill 2004 was referred to the standing Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, after being introduced in the Rajya Sabha in December 2004. The Bill seeks to replace the Seeds Act of 1966. The draft described the bill as one “to provide for regulating the quality of seeds for sale, import and export and to facilitate production and supply of seeds of quality and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”. This has provoked great controversy.

8. Legislation on Seeds Seeds in Indian agriculture are governed by nearly thirty legislations. Some of them are the Seeds Act 1966; the Essential Commodities Act, 1955; the Biological Diversity Act, 2002; Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001; Patents Amendment Act, 2005; Environment Protection Act, 1986; Consumer Protection Act, 1986; Geographical Indication of Goods Act, 1999; The Plants, Fruits and Seeds (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 1989 etc.

9. National Seed Plan: The National Seed Plan was aimed at ensuring seed replacement rate of 25 per cent for self-pollinated crops, 35 per cent for cross-pollinated crops and 100 per cent for hybrids for achieving higher productivity.

National Seed Policy 2002

The Indian government has approved a new National Seeds Policy to provide intellectual property protection to new varieties and set up institutes for the planned development of the sector. The policy has nine major thrust areas including the production of quality seeds by the private sector, establishing state seed testing laboratories, access to breeder seed, etc
The main features of the National Seeds Policy, 2002
1. Development of new and improved varieties of plants
2. Timely availability of quality seeds
3. Compulsory registration of seeds
4. Creation of infrastructure facilities
5. Quality assurance, promotion of seed industry,
6. Abolition of licensing for seed dealers,
7. Facility for import of best quality seeds,
8. Encouragement to export of seeds
9. Creation of Seed Banks and National Seed Grid.
These initiatives will encourage investment in research and development, thereby ensuring availability of high yielding varieties of seeds which will lead to higher production and improving the economic condition of the farmers in the country.

Some Strategies

1. A Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights Protection (PVP) Authority will be established which will undertake registration of extant and new plant varieties through the Plant Varieties. Registry on the basis of varietal characteristics.
2. A National Gene Fund will be established for implementation ofthe benefit sharing arrangement, and payment of compensation to village communities for their contribution to the development and conservation of plant genetic resources and also to promote conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Suitable systems will be worked out to identify the contributions from traditional knowledge and heritage.
3. Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Crops will be permitted to be accessed by Research Organisations and Seed Companies from public collections as per the provisions of the 'Material Transfer Agreement' of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and the Biological Diversity Bill.
4. The National Seeds Board (NSB) will be established in place of existing Central Seed Committee and Central Seed Certification Board. The NSB will have permanent existence with the responsibility of executing and implementing the provisions of the Seeds Act and advising the Government on all matters relating to seed planning and development. The NSB will function as the apex body in the seed sector.

National Food Security Mission

To meet the growing food grain demand, National Development Council in its 53rd meeting adopted a resolution to enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses by 10, 8 and 2 million tons respectively by 2011 with an outlay of Rs. 4,882 crore under National Policy for Farmers in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.The proposed Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘National Food Security Mission (NFSM) is to operationalise the resolution of NDC and enhance the production of rice, wheat and pulses.
Key Features:
1. The scheme to be implemented in a mission mode through a farmer centric approach
2. All the Stakeholders to be actively associated at the District levels for achieving the set goal.
3. The scheme aims to target the select districts by making available the improved technologies to the farmers through a series of planned interventions.
4. A close monitoring mechanism proposed to ensure that interventions reach to the targeted beneficiaries.
Objectives:
1. Increasing production of rice, wheat and pulses through area expansion and productivity enhancement in a sustainable manner;
2. Restoring soil fertility and productivity at individual farm level;
3. Enhancing farm level economy (i.e. farm profits) to restore confidence of farmers of targeted districts
Strategy:
1. Expansion of area of Pulses and Wheat, No expansion of area in rice
2. Bridging the yield gap between the potential and the present level of productivity through
3. Acceleration of seed production
4. Integrated Nutrient Management and Integrated Pest Management
5. Promotion of new production technologies like hybrid rice, timely planting of wheat and promotion of new improved variety of Pulses
6. Supply of input ensuring their timely availability
7. Farmers Training and Visits
Components of NFSM-Rice
1. Demonstration of improved technology including hybrid and System of Rice Intensification (SRI)
2. Incentive for quality seeds of HYVs/hybrids
3. Popularization of new varieties through seed mini kits
4. Promotion of micro nutrients, lime and gypsum
5. Promotion of mechanical weeders and other farm implements
6. Integrated pest management
7. Extension, training and mass media campaign
8. Awards for best performing district in each State.
9. Assistance for innovative interventions at local level
Components of NFSM : Wheat
1. Demonstration of improved Technology
2. Incentive for quality seeds of HYVs to raise the SRR
3. Promotion of micronutrient use in deficient areas
4. Incentive for promotion of application of Gypsum
5. Popularization of Zero till Machines and rotavator
6. Providing subsidy on diesel pumpsets and community generators for irrigation
7. Extension, training and mass media campaign awards for best performing districts
8. Assistance for innovative interventions at local level
Components of NFSM Pulses
1. Increasing seed replacement rate to 25% from present level of 7-8%
2. Promotion of improved production technologies
3. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM)
4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
5. Promotion of micronutrients/gypsum/bio-fertilizers
6. Promotion of sprinkler irrigation
7. Pilot Project on tackling the menace of blue bull
8. Extension, training and mass media campaign
9. Awards for best performing districts
10. Pilot project on demonstration ICRISAT Technologies.
Flow of Funds:
1. Funds for the Mission’s programmes to be directly released to the State Food Security Mission (SFSM) agency after approval by the National Executive Committee.
2. State Mission agency would ensure implementation of the programmes, in a time-bound manner and would make available funds to the District level implementing agency in accordance with their approved programmes.
3. Funds would be released in installments based on progress reports and furnishing of utilization certificates

Structure

Financial Outlay
Area of Operation:

The program covers now 17 states and 311 districts and has become operational from Rabi 2007-08.

The identified districts are given flexibility to adopt any local area specific interventions as are included in the Strategic Research & Extension Plan (SERP). Rs. 2 crore for those districts with NFSM for 2 crops and Rs. 1 crore for districts with NFSM for 1 crop.

Under the NFSM, initial reports indicate an increase in wheat seed distribution from 43% in Rajasthan to as high as 10 times in Bihar. In pulses also, the increase in use of improved seed range from 29% in Rajasthan to more than 400% in Chhattisgarh.

National Horticulture Mission

A National Horticulture Mission had been approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2005-06 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies.
Memorable Points:
1. It is a scheme of Department of Agriculture & Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture India.
2. The scheme is fully funded by the Government and different components proposed for implementation financially supported on the scales laid down.
3. This scheme aims at doubling the horticulture production by 2012
4. At National Level it has General Council (GC) & Executive Committee (EC).
5. The Mission has a General Council (GC) at the National level under the Chairmanship of the Union Agriculture Minister. There are members and secretaries in the General Council.
6. There is an Executive Committee (EC) headed by the Secretary, Dep’t. Of Agriculture & Cooperation to oversee the activities of the Mission and to approve the Action Plans.
7. The EC will be empowered to reallocate resources across States and components and approve projects on the basis of the approved subsidy norms. EC will use its discretion in approving components of a project for which norms have not been prescribed.
8. The subsidy for such components will not be more than 50% of the cost for small & marginal farmers and 30% of the cost for other farmers
9. The Horticulture Division in the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation will provide the necessary support to the EC and the GC and will administer the NHM.
10. The EC coordinates between different agencies. The EC shall meet every quarter but at least once in two months in the initial stages of the Mission.
11. At State Level there is a state Level Executive Committee, District Mission Committee, & Technical Support Groups.
12. State Level Executive Committee will be constituted by the State Government under the Chairmanship of the Agricultural Production Commissioner, or Secretary Horticulture/Agriculture having representatives from other concerned Departments, the SAUs, ICAR Institutes, Grower’s Associations, etc for overseeing the implementation of the programmes.
13. Central Government will nominate its representative who will be a Member in the SLEC.
14. The State Mission Director to be appointed by the State Government will be the Member Secretary of SLEC.
15. At the operational level, State Governments will have the freedom to nominate, or create a suitable autonomous agency to be registered under the Societies Registration Act for implementing the Mission programmes at the State and District levels. The Panchayat Raj Institutions existing in the State should be fully involved in the implementation structure.
The State level agency will have the following functions.
1. Prepare Perspective and annual State Level Action
2. Receive funds from the national mission authority, the State Government and other sources for carrying on the mission’s activities, maintain proper accounts thereof and submit utilization certificate to the concerned agencies.
3. Release funds to the implementing organizations and oversee, monitor & review the implementation of the programmes.
4. Organize base-line survey and feasibility studies in different parts
5. Assist and oversee the implementation of the Mission’s programmes in the State through Farmers, Societies, NGOs, growers, associations, self-help groups, State institutions and other similar entities.
6. Organize Workshops, Seminars and training programmes
9. At the District level, the District Mission Committee (DMC) will be constituted by the State Government.
10 Technical Support Group:

The Mission will have a strong technical component and domain experts will be central to the management of the Mission. TSG will have the following role and functions:
1. To visit the States regularly and frequently to provide guidance in organizational and technical matters.
2. To compile materials for conduct of regional workshops in respect of different plantations and different aspects viz. production, post-harvest management, processing, marketing.
3. There will a yearlong calendar of capacity building and promotional events, workshops/seminars on different subjects in different regions.
4. To conduct studies on different aspects of horticulture in different regions.

SOME GOVERNMENT PROGRAMMES

Twenty Point Programme

The Twenty Point Programme was initially launched by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975 and was subsequently restructured in 1982 and again on 1986. With the introduction of new policies and programmes it has been finally restructured in 2006 and it has been in operation at present. The Programmes and Schemes under TPP-2006 are in harmony with the priorities contained in the National Common Minimum Programme, the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations and SAARC Social Charter. The restructured Programme, called Twenty Point Programme – 2006 (TPP-2006), was approved by the Cabinet on 5th October, 2006 and operated w.e.f 1.4.2007.

Objective:
The basic objective of the 20-Point Programme is to eradicate poverty and to improve the quality of life of the poor and the under privileged population of the country. The programme covers various Socio-economic aspects like poverty, employment, education, housing, health, agriculture and land reforms, irrigation, drinking water, protection and empowerment of weaker sections, consumer protection, environment etc.
The 20 points of the Programme and its 66 items have been carefully designed and selected to achieve the above objectives.

The 20 Point Program Consisted following:

1. Attack on rural poverty
2. Strategy for Rained agriculture
3. Better use of irrigation water
4. Bigger harvest
5. Enforcement of Land Reforms
6. Special Programs for rural labour
7. Clean drinking water
8. Health for all
9. two child norm
10. expansion of education
11. Justice for SC / ST
12. Equality for women
13. New Opportunities for women
14. Housing for the people
15. Improvement for slums
16. New Strategy for Forestry
17. Protection of environment
18. concern for the consumer
19. Energy for the villages
20. A responsive administration

The TPP further restructured in 2006 has following Points:

1. Poverty eradication
2. power to people
3. Support to farmers
4. Labour welfare
5. Food security
6. Clean drinking water
7. Housing for all
8. Health for all
9. Education for all
10. Welfare of SC/ ST/ OBC and minorities
11. Women welfare
12. Child welfare
13. Youth Development
14. Improvement of slums
15. Environment protection and afforestation
16. Social security
17. Rural Roads
18. Energising of rural areas
19. Development of Backward areas
20. IT enabled and e-governance

The monitoring of the programme at the centre has been assigned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India. The management information system relating to Twenty Point developed by the Ministry consists of a monthly Progress Report (MPR) and yearly Review of the Programme, Point-wise, Item-wise and State-wise. The monthly report covers progress on the implementation of the programme for 20 crucial points for which there is pre-set physical targets and the Yearly Review presents an analytical review of the performance of all the items under the programme.

Among the 20 points and 66 items mentioned earlier, 25 items are monitored on monthly basis. In the Monthly Progress Reports, prepared and published by the Central Nodal Department, ranking among States are being prepared and published depending on the percentage of achievements against targets of 20 ranking items/parameters (in case of West Bengal). Up til now, this Department has received and furnished consolidated MPR, in the prescribed format, for the month of January ‘2008. The list of ranking items and their physical progress reports against targets are furnished below for better comprehension of the subject. It is pertinent to mention here that among the ranking 20 items/parameters, the monthly reports for three Items are being directly submitted to the central Nodal Department by the concerned implementing Departments. This State Nodal Department then sends reports for the following 17 items parameters.
1. Total Swarojgaries Assisted under SGSY (Panchayat Department & RD)
2. SHGs to whom income Generating activities provided
3. Rural Housing – Indira Awas Yojna (Housing Departments)
4. EWS/LIG Houses in urban Areas
Rural Areas
5. (a) Accelerated Rural water supply programme
(b) Slipped back habitations with water quality problems
Immunization of children
6. (a) Routine Immunisation (Health Department*)
(b) Pulse Polio Immunisation
7. SC Families Assisted (Backward Classes welfare Department)
8. Universalising of ICDS Scheme [ICDS Blocks Operational (cum)]
9. Functional Anganwadis (cum)
9. No. of poor Families Assisted under 7 point charter (Municipal Affairs/UD Implementing Agency )
Afforestation
11. (a) Area covered under Plantation (Forest Department)
(b) No. of Seedings Planted (Forest Department)
12. Rural Roads – PMGSY ( Panchayats and R & D)
13. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyntikaran Jojana – Villages electrified
14. Energising pump sets ((Power Department)

Jawahar Rozgar Yojna

Jawahar Rozgar Yojna was launched on April 1, 1989 by merging National Rural Employment Program (NREP) and Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP). At the end of Seventh Five Year Plan

So this was a consolidation of the previous employment programs and it was largest National Employment Program of India at that time with a general objective of providing 90-100 Days Employment per person particularly in backward districts. People below Poverty Line were main targets.

The Yojna was implemented on rural scale. Every village was to be covered through Panchayati Raj Institutions. The village got aide and support from District Rural Development Authority. Expenditures were born by central & state in 80:20 ratios.
Since 1993-94 the Yojna was made more targets oriented and expanded substantially through increased budgetary allocations. It was divided into 3 streams:
First Stream: Comprising general works under JRY and also two sub schemes Indira Awas Yojna and Million Wells Scheme. This stream got 75% of the total allocation. In Indira Awas Yojna the allocation was increased from 6% to 10 % and in Million Wells Scheme from 20% to 30 % during that period.
Second Stream: This was also called intensified JRY and was implemented in selected 120 backward districts. It got 20% allocation.
Third Stream: This was left with 5 % allocation for Innovative programs which included Prevention of labor migration, drought proofing watershed etc. programs.

Since April 1, 1999 this Yojna was replaced by Jawahar Gram samridhi Yojna. Later from September 25, 2001, Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna was merged with Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojna

Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP)

Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme or APDRP has been undertaken from the year 2000-01 with the twin objectives of financial turn-around in the performance of the power sector especially in electric distribution and improvement in quality of supply. The role of APDRP is to act as a catalyst for bringing about the desired changes through funding arrangements for implementing schemes.
The schemes are targeted towards improving financial viability and customer satisfaction. The scheme comprises of 25% grant and 25% of soft loans from the Central Government to the State Government. The remaining 50% resources have to be generated by State Government. The states also have to commit themselves for agreed loss improvement and collection improvement.
APDRP mainly focuses on six aspects i.e. Customer, Feeder, Distribution Circle, SEB, State and the Nation.
Objectives:
1. Improving financial viability: This can be achieved by reducing Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses and improving revenue collections.
2. Reduction of T&D losses to around 10 %: The reported total T&D losses are 24 % on an all India average basis. Losses including pilferage and wrong classification are much higher in some pockets of India. Thus, the higher losses are mainly due to commercial losses. The T&D losses are pegged at around 10% in better managed power systems in the developed countries. In some States of India where private utilities are in place, the T&D loss is about 11 %, which is close to the world benchmark of 7 to 8 %. This also points out that the loss figure of around 10 to 15 % is achievable in better administered organizations. Privatization has better scope to show efficiency improvement.
3. Improving customer satisfaction: Customer satisfaction can be improved by providing better quality power through reduced voltage fluctuations and improved availability.
4. Transparency through Computerization: Along with 100 % energy metering in the districts, it is necessary to enforce energy accounting and auditing as per Energy Conservation Act 2001. Energy accounting system should be able to take input data automatically at various levels from central meter reading control system. Based on this data, energy accounting system should be able to provide information about the losses and pilferages at various levels.
Most of the States have initiated actions to implement schemes under APDRP programme. Tamil Nadu has introduced the concept of reliability index for power supply in six cities and towns - Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli. Tata Power monitors reliability indices such as CAIFI, CAIDI, SAIFI, SAIDI, etc. for Mumbai distribution. Andhra Pradesh has started computing power supply reliability index for 20 towns and has also put in place an effective anti-pilferage legislation. The State has set up call centres in all district headquarters and has planned to set them in the rural areas in near future. In States where feeder and consumer metering have been completed, immediate gains in revenue ranging from 20 to 30 % have been visible. Other States are in the process of implementing such projects.

In the Union Budget 2009-10, Allocation under Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (APDRP) increased by 160 per cent to Rs.2,080 crore in B.E. 2009-10 over B.E. 2008-09.

Rajiv Awas Yojana

• Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) is a new scheme announced by the President earlier in 2009, focuses on slum dwellers and the urban poor.
• This scheme aims at promoting a slum-free India in five years and would focus on according property rights to slum dwellers.
• The scheme will focus on according property rights to slum dwellers and the urban poor by the states and union territories.
• It would provide basic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, internal and approach roads, street lighting and social infrastructure facilities in slums and low income settlements adopting a 'whole city' approach. It would also provide subsidized credit.
• Allocation for housing and provision of basic amenities to urban poor enhanced to Rs.3,973 crore in the Union Budget 2009-10. This includes provision of Rs. 150 Crore for Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY).
• As per the UPA government's proposal for this scheme , the schemes for affordable housing through partnership and the scheme for interest subsidy for urban housing would be dovetailed into the Rajiv Awas Yojana which would extend support under JNNURM to States that are willing to assign property rights to people living in slum areas.
• The Government's effort would be to create a slum free India through the Rajiv Awas Yojana.
• The Concept Note on RAY was finalized and sent to Planning Commission for their ‘in principle’ approval. The Planning Commission has accorded its ‘in principle’ approval for the proposed scheme recently. The draft guidelines of the scheme has been prepared and circulated to all States/UTs/Central Ministries and experts/NGOs for comments.
• Developing a robust database on slums is critical for implementation of the proposed Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY). The Ministry of HUPA has released funds for Slum/Household/Livelihoods surveys in 394 class I cities having more than one lakh population in the country.
• The surveys are in progress. Funds will also be released for other towns/cities in a phased manner. An e-enabled MIS is being developed for processing of data and building a national database.

In the Union Budget 2010-11, the outlay for Rajiv Awas Yojna has been provided for Rs. 1270 Crore.

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)

Cities and towns of India constitute the world’s second largest urban system. They contribute over 50% of country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are central to economic growth. For these cities to realize their full potential and become true engines of growth, it is necessary that focused attention be given to the improvement of infrastructure therein. For achieving this objective, a Mission mode approach is essential.

JNNURM was launched on 3rd December 2005.
Objectives:

1. Focused attention to integrated development of basic services to the urban poor Security of tenure at affordable price, improved housing, water supply, sanitation;
2. Convergence of services in fields of education, health and social security
3. As far as possible providing housing near the place of occupation of the urban poor
4. Effective linkage between asset creation and asset management to ensure efficiency
5. Scaling up delivery of civic amenities and provision of utilities with emphasis on universal access to urban poor.
6. Ensuring adequate investment of funds to fulfill deficiencies in the basic services to the urban poor.

Sub Missions: JNNURM comprises two Sub-Missions :

1. Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) (Sub-mission I)
2. Basic Services to the Urban Poor Urban (BSUP) (Sub-mission II)

There are, in addition, two other components:

1. Urban Infrastructure Development of Small & Medium Towns (UIDSSMT)
2. Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme (IHSDP)

Number of Cities as of December 20, 2009:

• The number of cities in Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission is 65 by the end of 2009. The last two cities added are Tirupati and Porbundar.

Purchase of Buses:

1. Under the second stimulus package announced by the Government on 2.1.2009, it has been decided that States, as a one time measure upto 30.6.2009 would be provided assistance under the JNNURM for the purchase of buses for their urban transport systems.
2. Accordingly under the scheme launched by the Ministry of Urban Development, a total of 15260 buses have been approved for 61 JNNURM cities at a total cost of Rs.4723.94 crore out of which total admissible Central Assistance would be Rs.2088.05 crore.

Progress in UIG Component:

1. For Urban Infrastructure and Governance (UIG) component Additional Central Assistance(ACA) for was increased from Rs 25,500 crore to Rs 31,500 crore for the Year 2009.
2. Under the UIG component of JNNURM, 20 projects were sanctioned during 2009, bringing total number of projects sanctioned under the UIG component since inception (i.e. since 3rd December 2005) to 481.

Progress in UIDSSMT component:

1. Seven year allocation for the Urban Infrastructure Development for Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) component was raised from Rs 6400 crore to Rs 11,400 crore in the Year 2009.

New Schemes:
Two new Schemes were launched in 2009

1. The Asian Development Bank assisted North Eastern Region Urban Development Programme (NERUDP) covering Agartala, Shillong, Aizawl, Kohima and Gangtok
2. Scheme for infrastructure development in the satellite towns around the seven mega cities.

Proposed Programme Management Unit :

1. To strengthen the capacity of State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) to effectively coordinate implementation of projects and reforms under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, Ministry of Urban Development has proposed to support a Programme Management Unit (PMU) at the SLNA.
2. The financial support for establishing PMUs was initiated in June 2007. Based on proposals sent by the states the Mission Directorate has approved 19 PMUs of which, 10 states have established arid operationalized PMUs.

Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

• The Mission Directorate is providing financial and technical support to establish Project Implementation Units (PIUs) at the municipal level, to enhance their capability to effectively implement projects and reforms under JNNURM. The PIU is meant to be an operations unit supplementing and enhancing the existing skill mix of the ULB, rather than a supervisory body. The Mission Directorate has approved 45 PIUs of which 26 PIUs have established andd operationalized by the ULBs.

Independent Review and Monitoring Agency (IRMA)

1. IRMAs are agencies to be appointed by the states for monitoring of the progress of implementation of the projects sanctioned under the JNNURM so that the funds released are utilized in a purposeful and time-bound manner.
2. The proposals of Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Pudducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka for appointment of IRMA have been approved by the CSMC.
3. IRMAs have been established in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Rajasthan.
4. The states of Bihar, Delhi, Nagaland, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are in the process of appointing IRMAs.
5. For the states of Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and Goa, Ministry of Urban Development has initiated steps for appointment of IRMAs on behalf of these States.
6. CSMC has approved the selection of firms for appointment of IRMAs in these States and States have been intimated about the decision for entering into the agreement with the selected firms.

Peer Experience and Reflective Learning (PEARL)

1. The “Peer Experience and Reflective Learning” (PEARL) programme was launched to foster cross learning and knowledge sharing through networking among the Mission cities.
2. To achieve this objective, the Mission supported formation of groups/networks amongst JNNURM cities having similar socio-economic profile and urban issues, along with natural affinity to peer pair.
3. The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) has been appointed as the National Coordinator for the PEARL programme for coordinating the overall functioning of the networks, with an appreciation of the independent self driven nature of the networks, and assisting the Mission Directorate in supporting and monitoring the programme.
4. Under the programme, network of heritage cities have organized knowledge sharing workshops.
5. A website has been made operational providing tools to support networking and knowledge sharing. NIUA has brought out a newsletter “PEARL Update”.

Credit Rating in JNNURM

1. JNNURM has undertaken an exercise for assessment of finances and credit worthiness of the Mission ULBs, through process of credit rating.
2. This is intended to trigger the process of leveraging debt for JNNURM projects and to provide a platform for the ULBs and financial institutions to engage on issues related to project financing.
3. Presently, 59 ULBs in the Mission cities have been assigned final rating and made public. Four workshops have been conducted for dissemination of ratings and bringing the ULBs in contact with the banks financial institutions.
4. The surveillance rating has been initiated in Feb 2009. The surveillance ratings will include, but will not be restricted to major developments since last rating, issues / concerns raised, by the rating agencies, during the first round of rating, and rationale for re-affirming /changing the ratings.

Programme Management and Evaluation System (PMES)

1. PMES has been developed as a comprehensive web-enabled Management Information System (MIS) which will serve to cover all the critical aspects of programme implementation. Intensive hands-on training for City as well as State level officials has been conducted to ensure effective use of the application.
2. Further rounds of training have been planned and will be rolled out shortly. PMES is live for all States covering 52 Mission cities, training for which have been completed.

Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives

1. The Mission Cities have agreed to include promotion of PPP through appropriate policies and projects as a part of the reforms agenda.
2. A number of States such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Orissa, Rajasthan, West Bengal, have adopted PPP policy.
3. PPP cell has also been established by Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Karnataka, Punjab and West Bengal for promotion of PPP for infrastructure projects in their States.
4. PPP initiatives have been taken by Indore, Vadodara, Pune and Ahmedabad for establishing City Bus Service.

Establishment of City Voluntary Technical Corp. (CVTC)

1. City Volunteer Technical Corps (CVTC’s) and City Technical Advisory Groups (CTAG’s) are voluntary groups of professionally qualified persons in the sectors of urban planning, urban governance, urban engineering, legal and financial services and urban poverty.
2. Their setting up was being facilitated by the National Technical Advisory Group (NTAG) on request of the ULBs.

Community Participation Fund

1. A Community Participation Fund (CPF) has been established on 4.6.2007 by the Mission Directorate with the initial corpus of Rs. 100 crore with the provision of Rs.90 crore for the projects during the remaining years of mission period.
2. So far 39 proposals under CPF have been approved.

National Mission Mode project (NMMP) on e-Governance in Municipalities as part of JNNURM

1. A Mission Mode Project on e-Governance in municipalities has been prepared by this Ministry to make urban governance more efficient and effective.
2. Since local government is the first interface between citizens and government this initiative would solve a number of problems that the people in towns and cities are facing due to rapid urbanization. It would assist improved service delivery, decentralization, better information management & transparency, citizen’s involvement in government, improved interaction between local governments and its citizens as well as other interest groups like NGOs, CBOs, RWAs, etc.
3. It has been decided that initially the scheme would be a part of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for 35 cities with population of over 10 lakh and a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for other cities and towns would be taken up after watching the implementation under JNNURM.
4. Accordingly, the guidelines on NMMP on e-Governance in municipalities have been prepared and circulated to the States/ULBs for submission of DPRs.
5. Six projects on e-governance in Municipalities have since been approved for the city of Vijayawada, Nagpur, Kochi, Pune, Navi Mumbai and Ulhasnagar.

JUST Project

1. JNNURM Urban Strengthening and Transformation (JUST) Project [Capacity Building for Urban Development -CBUD] is a World Bank assisted project.
2. It consists of US$ 60 million combining US$ 40 million for Urban Development component and US$ 20 million for Urban Poverty component in 20 participating ULBs which would implement at least two reforms covering financial management, planning governance, service delivery as well as poverty reducing strategies.
3. The selection of the 20 ULBs would be done by the CSMC involving a mix from leading and lagging states using criteria for urban governance, provisioning of urban services and urban poverty.

Capacity Building Scheme for Urban Local Bodies (CBULB)

1. In order to strengthen the capacities of Urban Local Bodies other than those towns and cities not covered under JNNURM and UIDSSMT, Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India has formulated a scheme viz. ‘Capacity Building Scheme for Urban Local Bodies’ (CBULB) having a total outlay for Rs. 125 crore for 11th Five Year Plan with the objective of setting up of centres of excellence in the field of urban development.
2. Under this scheme, financial assistance is being extended to Identified Institutions/Cities/States for aforesaid objectives. At present, Ministry of Urban Development has received proposals from Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Maharashtra, Kerala and Karnataka Governments for financial assistance under CBULB scheme.

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

1. NREGA is designed as a safety net to reduce migration by rural poor households in the lean period through A hundred days of guaranteed unskilled manual labour provided when demanded at minimum wage on works focused on water conservation, land development & drought proofing.
2. Notification of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act came in September 2005. It was launched on February 2, 2006.
3. NREGA is the flagship programme of the UPA Government that directly touches lives of the poor and promotes inclusive growth.
4. The Act aims at enhancing livelihood security of households in rural areas of the country by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
5. The ongoing programmes of Sampoorn Grameen Rozgar Yojna & National Food for Work Programme were subsumed within this programme in the 200 of the most backward districts of the country, in which it was introduced in phase -1 .
6. In phase-2 it was introduced in 130 additional districts.
7. The scheme was extended to 274 rural districts from April 1, 2008 in phase-3.
8. NREGA is the first ever law internationally, that guarantees wage employment at an unprecedented scale.
9. Dr. Jean Drèze, a Belgian born economist, at the Delhi School of Economics, has been a major influence on this project.

What are Objectives of NREGA?

1. Augmenting wage employment.
2. Strengthening natural resource management through works that address causes of chronic poverty like drought, deforestation and soil erosion and so encourage sustainable development.
3. Strengthening grassroots processes of democracy
4. Infusing transparency and accountability in governance.
5. Strengthening decentralization and deepening processes of democracy by giving a pivotal role to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in planning, monitoring and implementation.

What are the Unique Features of NREGA?

1. Time bound employment guarantee and wage payment within 15 days
2. Incentive-disincentive structure to the State Governments for providing employment as 90 per cent of the cost for employment provided is borne by the Centre or payment of unemployment allowance at their own cost and emphasis on labour intensive works prohibiting the use of contractors and machinery.
3. The Act mandates a 33 percent participation for women.

How NREGA is Implemented? The following image shows the key processes in the implementation of NREGA.

1. Cost sharing : Central Government 3/4th , State Government 1/4th
2. Adult members of rural households submit their name, age and address with photo to the Gram Panchayat.
3. The Gram panchayat registers households after making enquiry and issues a job card. The job card contains the details of adult member enrolled and his /her photo.
4. Registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to panchayat or to Programme Officer.
5. The panchayat/programme officer will accept the valid application and issue dated receipt of application, letter providing work will be sent to the applicant and also displayed at panchayat office.
6. The employment will be provided within a radius of 5 km: if it is above 5 km extra wage will be paid.
7. If employment under the scheme is not provided within fifteen days of receipt of the application daily unemployment allowance will be paid to the applicant.

NREGA & Union Budget 2009-10:

1. During 2008-09, NREGA provided employment opportunities for more than 4.47 crore households as against 3.39 crore households covered in 2007-08.
2. Govt. is committed to providing a real wage of Rs.100 a day as an entitlement under the NREGA.
3. To increase the productivity of assets and resources under NREGA, convergence with other schemes relating to agriculture, forests, water resources, land resources and rural roads is being initiated. In the first stage, a total of 115 pilot districts have been selected for such convergence.
4. Govt of India has proposed an allocation of Rs.39,100 crore for the year 2009-10 for NREGA which marks an increase of 144% over 2008-09 Budget Estimates.

How Monitoring & Evaluation is Done in NREGA?

1. The Ministry has set up a comprehensive monitoring system. For effective monitoring of the projects 100% verfication of the works at the Block level, 10% at the District level and 2% at the State level inspections need to be ensured.
2. In order to optimize the multiplier effects of NREGA, the Ministry has set up a Task Force to look at the possibility of convergence of programmes like National Horticulture Mission, Rashtriya Krishi vikas Yojana, Bharat Nirman, Watershed Development with NREGA.
3. These convergence efforts will add value to NREGA, works and aid in creating durable efforts and also enable planned and coordinated public investments in rural areas.
   

Critical Issues of NREGA, how they are addressed?

1. Issues Related to Job Cards: To ensure that rural families likely to seek unskilled manual labour are identified & verify against reasonably reliable local data base so that nondomiciled contractor’s workers are not used on NREGA works . What is done for this problem? Job card verification is done on the spot against an existing data base and Reducing the time lag between application and issue of job cards to eliminate the possibility of rentseeking, and creating greater transparency etc. Besides ensuring that Job Cards are issued prior to employment demand and work allocation rather than being issued on work sites which could subvert the aims of NREGA
2. Issues related to Applications: To ascertain choices and perceptions of households regarding lean season employment to ensure exercise of the right to employment within the time specified of fifteen days to ensure that works are started where and when there is demand for labour, not demand for works the process of issuing a dated acknowledgement for the application for employment needs to be scrupulously observed. In its absence, the guarantee cannot be exercised in its true spirit
3. Issues Related to Selection of Works: Selection of works by gram sabha in villages and display after approval of shelf of projects, to ensure public choice, transparency and accountability and prevent material intensive, contractor based works and concocted works records
4. Issues related to Execution of Works: At least half the works should be run by gram panchayats . Maintenance of muster roll by executing agency -numbered muster rolls which only show job card holders must be found at each work-to prevent contractor led works
5. Issues related to measurement of work done: Regular measurement of work done according to a schedule of rural rates sensitive Supervision of Works by qualified technical personnel on time. Reading out muster rolls on work site during regular measurement -to prevent bogus records and payment of wages below prescribed levels
6. Issues related to Payments: Payment of wages through banks and post offices -to close avenues for use of contractors, short payment and corruption
7. Audit : Provision of adequate quality of work site facilities for women and men labourers Creation and maintenance of durable assets Adequate audit and evaluation mechanisms Widespread institution of social audit and use of findings

Some Points:

1. Rozgar Jagrookta Puruskar award has been introduced to recognize outstanding Contributions by Civil society Organizations at State, District, Block and Gram Panchayat levels to generate awareness about provisions and entitlements and ensuring compliance with implementing processes.
2. The government has engaged professional institutions like IIMs, IITs and agricultural universities to assess the implementation of NREGA across the country.

Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY)

This scheme has been merged with NREGS since February 2006 so only most important points are given below:

1. The Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) was launched on 25 September, 2001 by merging the on-going schemes of EAS (Employment Assurance Scheme) and the JGSY (Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna)
2. Objective was to providing additional wage employment and food security, alongside creation of durable community assets in rural areas.
3. The annual outlay was Rs.10, 000 crore which included 50 lakh tones on food grains.
4. The cash component shared between the Centre and the States in the ratio of 75:25.
5. Food grains were provided free of cost to the States/UTs.
6. Minimum wages paid to the workers through a mix of minimum five kg of food grains and at least 25 per cent of wages in cash.
7. Implemented by all the three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Each level of Panchayat was an independent unit for formulation of Action.
8. Resources distributed among District Panchayats, Intermediate Panchayats and the Gram Panchayats in the ratio of 20:30:50.
9. Contractors not permitted to be engaged for execution of any of the works and no middlemen/intermediate agencies can be engaged for executing works under the scheme.

National Food For Work Programme

1. This program was subsumed with the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) in February 2006.
2. The National Food for Work Programme was launched in November 2004 in 150 most backward districts of the country, identified by the Planning Commission in consultation with the Ministry of Rural Development and the State governments.
3. The objective of the programme was to provide additional resources apart from the resources available under the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) to 150 most backward districts of the country so that generation of supplementary wage employment and providing of food-security through creation of need based economic, social and community assets in these districts are further intensified.
4. The scheme was 100 per cent Centrally sponsored.
5. The programme has since been subsumed in National Rural Employment Guarantee Act which has come in force in 200 identified districts of the country including 150 NFFWP districts.
6. The Act provided 100 days of work guarantee to every rural household whose members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.

Forest Resources & Bio-diversity in India

1. As per data released by Ministry of Forest & Environment the total forest cover of the country as per 2005 assessment is 677,088 sq. kms and this constitutes 20.60 percent of the geographic area of the country. Of this, 54,569 sq. kms (1.66 %) is very dense forest, 332,647 sq. kms (10.12 %) is moderately dense forest, while 289,872 sq. kms (8.82 %) is open forest cover. The scrub accounts for 38,475 sq. kms (1.17 %).

2. The State/UT wise forest cover in the country shows that Madhya Pradesh with 76,013 sq. kms has the largest area under forest cover, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (67,777 km²), Chhattisgarh (55,863 km²), Orissa (48,374 km²) and Maharashtra (47,476 km²).

3. Considering the proportion of geographic area under forest cover, Mizoram has the maximum percentage of 88.63%, followed by Nagaland (82.75%), Arunachal Pradesh (80.93%), and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (80.36%). Andhra Pradesh has the largest area under scrub (9,862 km²).

4. Even though forestry is the second largest land use in India after agriculture the contribution to the Gross Domestic Product from forestry is minimal (it was barely 1.1 percent in 2001).In 2008-09 the combined share of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing was 17.1 %. An estimated 41 percent of the country’s forest cover has been degraded to some degree. As much as 78 percent of forest area is subject to heavy grazing and about 50 percent of the forest area is prone to forest fires. Domestic demand for timber and fuel wood is well above the sustainable level.

5. National Forest Policy of India targets to cover the 33% of the total geographical area under forests. Much money has been invested; however there is not positive growth.

6. India is also a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Accordingly, India had developed a ‘National Policy and Macro level Action Strategy on Biodiversity’ in 1999.

7. India is known for its rich heritage of biological diversity, having already documented over 91,000 species of animals and 45,500 species of plants in its ten bio-geographic regions.

8. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), the nodal agency for implementing provisions of CBD in India, developed a strategy for biodiversity conservation at macro-level in 1999 and enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 followed by the Rules there under in 2004. The National Environment Policy, 2006, seeks to achieve balance and harmony between conservation of natural resources and development processes and also forms the basic framework for the National Biodiversity Action Plan.

9. Theme of NEP 2006: The National Environment Policy (NEP) 2006 seeks to achieve balance and harmony between conservation and development. The policy is intended to mainstream environmental concerns in all development activities. The dominant theme of this policy is that while conservation of environmental resources is necessary to secure livelihoods and wellbeing of all, the most secure basis for conservation is to ensure that people dependent on particular resources obtain better livelihoods from the fact of conservation, than from degradation of the resources.

10. International cooperation : India has participated in major international events on environment and biodiversity conservation since 1972. India has also contributed to developing the agreed texts, ratified, and complied with the commitments in various international conventions relating to biodiversity.

India's International cooperation in Environment & Biodiversity Conservation

11. A National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) is being implemented for conservation of polluted and degraded urban/semi-urban lakes, leading to lake Rejuvenation in terms of improvement in water quality and biodiversity. As on March 2007, 31 projects for conservation of 46 lakes have been taken up.

12. A National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is also under implementation in 160 towns along polluted stretches of 34 rivers spread over 20 states, the major rivers being Ganga, Yamuna, Gomti, Damodar, Satluj, Krishna, Cauveri and Godavari. The objective of NRCP is to check pollution in rivers through implementation of various pollution abatement schemes.

13. A National Medicinal Plants Board was set up under a government resolution notified on 24th November 2000 under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to promote coordination and implementation of policies relating to medicinal plants both at the Central and State levels.

14. Under a plan scheme ‘Assistance to Botanic Gardens’, financial assistance is provided to strengthen measures for ex situ conservation of threatened and endangered species. Guidelines for botanical gardens have been finalized and the vision is to have at least one botanical garden per district.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has set up a number of gene banks for ex situ conservation under the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi, National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, and National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (NBAIM), Mau.

15. A large number of microorganisms of agricultural importance also form a vital part of the diversified Indian agricultural ecosystem Projects have been initiated for reintroduction of threatened species into their natural habitats under appropriate conditions. Examples include mass propagation of pitcher plant, rehabilitation of mangroves in degraded open mud flats, and the effort towards relocation of rhinoceros from Kaziranga to Manas and tigers from Ranthambore to Sariska in Rajasthan.

16.India has established National Clean Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA) for according host country approval to CDM projects as mandated under the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). One of the criteria used for approval of CDM projects is impact on biodiversity. Host country approvals have so far been accorded to 404 CDM projects facilitating investment of more than Rs, 22,000 crores.

17. The Government has set up an ‘Expert Committee on the Impacts of Climate Change’ on 7th May 2007 under the chairmanship of Dr. R. Chidambaram Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India to study the impacts of anthropogenic climate change on India and to identify the measures that may have to be taken for addressing vulnerability to anthropogenic climate change impacts.

18.A high level coordination committee chaired by Prime Minister, namely, ‘Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change’ has been set up on 6th June 2007 to coordinate national actions for assessment, adaptation and mitigation of climate change. The Government of India has released 'National Action Plan on Climate change' on 30th June 2008, which outlines a number of steps to simultaneously advance India's development and climate change - related objectives of adaptation and mitigation, including through setting up of eight National Missions.

19. Various Acts and Rules Related to Biodiversity Conservation

20. Bishnois of Rajasthan Committed to Conservation of Nature

21. Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Committe on Management of Coastal Zones