Introduction

Tamil Nadu places emphasis on inclusive growth. The State aims to attain Numero Uno state in India in terms of socio-economic indicators and to achieve the present levels of Human Development attained by developed countries. This could be achieved if the disparities in key parameters of development across various regions, of the State.

Launching the Scheme

The Hon'ble Minister for Finance in the Budget Speech 2012-2013 announced that 100 most backward blocks and backward urban local bodies would be identified based on indicators in sectors like health, education, gender related indicators and other indicators like per capita income, incidence of poverty and unemployment and special focus will be given to stimulate development. The State constituted “State Balanced Growth Fund” (SBGF), vide G.O.Ms.No.13 Planning & Development  Special Initiatives Department Dated : 7.2.2013 through which targeted programmes would be launched in these identified areas with the objective of correcting these disparities. Every year a sum of Rs.100 crore would be provided for the implementation of the programme.

Target Area and Identification of Blocks

The State Planning Commission has been identified as the  nodal agency to implement this programme. The State Planning Commission identified 105 blocks in 24 districts which were most backward in terms of Poverty, unemployment, Income Health and Education.  In urban Municipalities and Corporations, wards with substantial slum population were covered under the programme. In the case of town Panchayats, such areas which would fall within a backward block would be covered as well as those Town Panchayats with a higher population density. Perspective plans for the holistic development of the backward blocks have been prepared with Annual Action Plan and focussed interventions.  

Implementation Process

A State level Empowered Committee has been formed to guide and monitor the programme implementation, approval of perspective plans and approval of projects. The State Planning Commission would implement the programme. At the district level, the District Collectors would implement the programme by involving the line department officials. 

Under SBGF, both bottom-up and top-down approaches in planning has been employed to formulate suitable interventions. The planning process encouraged innovations also.

While the at the state level, programmes are identified for the backward blocks, (Integrated Pest Management formulated by Agriculture Department), district level officials also formulated programmes which have been taken up for other backward blocks with similar backwardness (Integrated Farming System, Shadenet nursery, Improvement of irrigation sources). This approach has helped the blocks even with low capacity secure a minimum number of projects.    In these two approaches, gap-filling interventions which are not provided in the regular schemes have been identified, with suitable modifications, these have been sanctioned as per the local needs. 

The project formulation is brought out in a structured format, which was designed through a consultative process. The project template seeks to define the problem, the suggested solution and the linking between the problem and the solution. It provides visualization of the project from the beginning to the end, not only of the implementation process but also the realization of outcomes. It offers an effective tool for problem solving and outcome monitoring.   

Progress made so far

In commemoration with the objectives of the programme, 733 individual projects have been sanctioned to improve Education, Employment, Gender, Health, Income and Poverty for an amount of Rs.567.62 crore since 2013-14 to 2019-20.  Substantial emphasis has been made to reduce poverty and improve income of the rural population.  The sanctioned projects are regularly monitored by the District Planning Officers and Collectors at the district level. The State Planning Commission also monitors the progress through periodic reviews and field visits. 

Special Focus on Hilly/Forest areas

In order to address the backwardness of  Hilly/Forest areas,  the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced a special package in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly under Rule 110 in the year 2017-18 with assistance from SBGF. Upto 31.01.2020,  55 projects worth of Rs.98.03 crore have been sanctioned to tribal  habitations for providing road connectivity, basic amenities, educational infrastructure, Value addition of non-timber forest products and agricultural products, improvement of girls education, promoting co-curricular activities in tribal schools, Hostel facilities to girls.