:: JAPAN SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (JSDF Supported PILOTS)
:: Objectives

  The Objectives of the Project are to

  • Develop a better understanding of the capacity of local governments in village planning, financial management, community based targeting, budgeting and public administration and of the role that self help groups and other community groups can play to make these processes more equitable;

  • Build the capacity of the local governments in these areas and

  • Support selected pilot local governments to prepare and implement development plans with a focus on improving the delivery of services.

 The grant will help in testing the different approaches which will help in implementation of the TNEPRP project which is going to be implemented soon.

:: Project Approach

  The project will be implemented in 10 villages, out of which in four villages, the panchayat model will be followed  and in six villages, an inclusive local institution model, viz. Village Poverty Reduction Committee model will be adopted. While the major strategies would be the same in both the models,thrust will be given more to livelihood activities in the latter model, while it will be united fund in the first model.

:: Agreement and Allocation

  The JSDF grant agreement has been signed between the World Bank and the Dept. of Economic Affairs, Government of India on 2nd March 2004. The JSDF grant covers a grant of US $ 5,95,140 i.e. Rs.267.81 lakhs, for a period of three years, (Mar.2004 to Oct.2007) with the following components for implementation of the pilots.

S.No Category Grant Allocated
IN US $ IN RS.LAKHS
1 Training & Workshop 96000 43.20
2 Consultants services 206060 92.73
3 Goods 35000 15.75
4 Panchayats Sub grants 248080 111.63
5 Project Management 10000 4.50
  TOTAL 595140 267.81

  A special account has been opened in the name of Govt. of India for the JSDF grant with the Reserve Bank of India and credited with an initial deposit of US $ 1,00,000. Reimbursements of claims are being made by way of replenishment to this special account.

:: List of Pilot villages

  The following villages have been selected as pilot villages in consultation with the Rural Development Department:

S.No District Block Pilot Village
1 Kancheepuram Sriperumpudur Kaduvancheri
2 Vellore Kaniyambadi Idayanchathu
3 Cuddalore Keerapalayam Keerapalayam
4 Coimbatore Karamadai Odanthurai
5 Trichy Thathaiyangarpettai Araichi
6 Pudukottai Thiruvarankulam Melathur
7 Theni Andipatti G.Usilampatti
8 Villupuram Vallam Kadambur
9 Vellore Kaniyambadi Thuthipattu
10 Cuddalore Kumaratchi M.Kollakudi
:: Pilot Approach

  In order to test the approach and since VPRC model has been proposed for the project, the VPRC model will be implemented first in the 6 villages and the Panchayat model in the 4 villages.

 Panchayat Model: Gram Panchayat will be the overall incharge of the programme. Incentives and capacity building will be provided to make the Panchayat pro poor, transparent and accountable. A sub committee that will assist to implement will have representatives  of  the Panchayat with poor and vulnerable will be formed to ensure inclusiveness of the local community.

 VPRC Model:   In this model, the Panchayat President will be the Ex-Officio President of the VPRC. There will be habitation wise representatives drawn from the target population and Self Help Groups.

:: Expected outcomes of the pilots for the Project
  • Mechanism for social audit of developmental activities.
  • Vibrant and well performing Grama Sabhas.

  • Processes for Identification of Poor and Vulnerable list through Participatory methods.

  • Processes for forming SHGs of ultra poor, disabled and other disadvantaged groups like destitutes, widows,aged, child labour families etc.,

  • Mechanisms for evolving inclusive, transparent community based organizations (VPRC)

  • Transparent, accountable and pro poor local governments at the Panchayat level.

  • Mechanisms for extending technical & financial support to take up productive demand driven livelihood related activities.