The government of West
Bengal has demonstrated sustained commitment to poverty reduction (proportion of
the poor reduced from about 73% in 1973-74 to 32% in 1999-2000) through rural decentralisation
and other pro-poor measures. Panchayati Raj Institutions (rural local bodies) in
West Bengal are stronger than their counterparts in most other Indian states, and
have contributed to halving of rural poverty between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s.
However, in recent years progress on poverty reduction has slowed down. One of the
main causes of this is weakness of the rural decentralisation structures and processes,
particularly those relating to PRIs (also called Panchayats) and their support institutions.
Population growth and new areas of responsibility assigned to PRIs have highlighted
the problems of low capacities and wide jurisdictions of panchayats. The SRD programme
supports GoWB’s efforts to address these weaknesses that have constrained further
poverty reduction since the early 1990s.
The purpose of the SRD
programme is to secure more effective, accountable, pro-poor rural decentralisation.
This programme focuses on further developing Panchayat capacity to deliver pro-poor
rural development. Panchayats’ ability to deal with issues of rural poverty in West
Bengal is well established. Their enhanced capacities and redressal of other weaknesses
of rural decentralisation in the state will further enhance the chances of the programme
effectively contributing to the goal of sustainable reduction in poverty in the
rural areas of the state. This is no parallel programme but a complementary and
additional support to the state Government’s ongoing initiative for rural decentralisation
& poverty alleviation.
Brochure
The brochure of SRD
Programme details out the purpose and the different components of the programme,
the pertinent expected output and implementation and monitoring
strategies for the
programme.
Programme Memorandum- Phase I
The Programme Memorandum
Phase I was developed in October 2005. It majorly includes the various aspects related
with the next generation of rural developement
programmes, programme approach including
the different phases in which the programme will be implemented.
Programme Memorandum- Phase II
The Programme Memorandum
Phase II was developed in November 2007. It majorly includes the detailed structure
of the programme, approach and appraisal process
including the implementation and
evaluation of the programme.
Annual Report
Reports generated from
SRD Cell is integrated every year in the annual report published from WBSRDA. The
SRD Annual Report contains brief detais of the phases of the
programme implementation
in 14 districts associated with various photographs and case studies.
Presentation on Launching Ceremony
The fundamental features
of the SRD Programme are explained in brief.
Presentation on Initiative for SRD
Detailed features of
SRD Programme are denoted in this presentation. The intervention areas of SRD including
the approaches and strategies, decentralised planning etc.
Lokshiksha Sanchar
Publications of SRD
Books published by SRD
on various issues and themes :
- Ujjwal Drishtanto
- Gram Unnyan Samitir Haatboi
- Gram Unnayan Samiti-r Arthik Babyasthapana
- Samanwito Panchayat Parikalpana
- Prosnottore Series
- Prosnottore Shiksha
- Prosnottore Shiksha
- Sangjojoni
- Prosnottore Jana Swastha
- Jana Swasthya
- Sangjojoni
- Prosnottore Chas Bas
- Prosnottore Gram Panchayat - 1
- Prosnottore Gram Panchayat - 2
- Prosnottore Gram Panchayat - 3
- Prosnottore Machhchas
- Prosnottore Prani Palan
Panchayati Raj
SRD Evaluation
Fiduciary Risk Assessment Report
Poverty Impact Assessment of Critical Support for Poverty Reduction_Sambodhi Report 2009
Independent Assessment of the SRD Capacity Building Initiative
Achievements of SRD