Date:23/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/23/stories/2008112350600200.htm

Tamil Nadu

Village poverty reduction through participatory measures

Special Correspondent

MAYILADUTHURAI: Villages can be developed best only through the active participation of villagers themselves in government schemes. People should come forward and use the Village Poverty Reduction Committees (VPRC) to implement useful schemes, Collector M. Jayaraman said here on Saturday.

While giving away funds worth Rs. 2.25-crore to 54 villages in the Mayiladuthurai block, Mr. Jayaraman said that Vazhndu Kattuvom scheme had come up with VPRCs in each of the four blocks it worked in, with Gram Sabha support.

Using the current scheme, identified villages would be provided with funds in a phased manner (40 per cent, 40 per cent and 20 per cent in three instalments). Using these funds, the VPRCs should implement training programmes for self-help groups, women, and disabled persons. , Mr. Jayaraman said.

People should also use the five-member Social Audit Committees and Gram Sabha meetings to ensure that the VPRCs were functioning efficiently. The Vazhndu Kattuvom scheme is currently being implemented in the Mayiladuthurai, Kilvelur, Kuttalam and Tirumarugal blocks.

Hamlet Level Federations and Panchayat Level Federations have been formed in many places under the scheme, M. Rubavel, District Project Manager, Vazhndu Kattuvom scheme, said. P. Muthaiya, Public Relations Officer, and Assistant Project Managers P. George Kumar, K. Muniappan participated.