Question

How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?

1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.

2. DRDAs undertake an area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.

3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for the effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.

4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?          

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : 3 and 4 only

The correct answer is 3 and 4 only.

• DRDA has traditionally been the principal organ at the district level to oversee the implementation of anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development.
• From April 1999 a separate DRDA Administration has been introduced to take care of the administrative costs.
• Expenses of DRDAs are funded on a 75:25 basis between Centre and State Governments.
• However, from 2008-09 the funding pattern for N.E. States has been changed from 75: 25 to 90: 10. In the case of UTs, the Centre provides entire (100%) funds under the Scheme.

Duties

• DRDA is a supporting and facilitating organisation and needs to play a very effective role as a catalyst in the development process. 
  • ​They are expected to coordinate with the line departments, the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the banks and other financial institutions, the NGOs as well as the technical institutions.
  • The DRDAs are expected to coordinate effectively with the Panchayati Raj institutions. Under no circumstances will they perform the functions of PRIs. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
• Thus the role of the DRDA is in terms of planning for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes; coordinating with other agencies- Governmental, non-Governmental, technical and financial for successful programme implementation; enabling the community and the rural poor to participate in the decision making process, overseeing the implementation to ensure adherence to guidelines, quality, equity and efficiently; reporting to the prescribed authorities on the implementation; and promoting transparency in decision making and implementation. Hence statement 3 is correct.
• DRDA will continue to watch over and ensure effective utilisation of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes, it will need to develop a far greater understanding of the processes necessary for poverty alleviation/ eradication. Hence statement 4 is correct.
• The DRDAs shall take the necessary step to improve the awareness regarding rural development and poverty alleviation particularly among the rural poor. 
• The DRDAs will strive to promote transparency in the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes. Towards this end, they shall publish periodically, the details of the different programmes and their implementation.
• No such provisions are there for DRDAs to undertake an area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures. Hence statement 2 is not correct.