VARIOUS SECTORS PERFORMANCE

Agriculture:

The following are the functions of the Agriculture Division:

• To formulate plans for the development of sub-sectors of Agriculture. This involves the following tasks :-
• Setting up of Working Groups on various sub- sectors/subjects for the formulation of Five Year Plan, Annual Plan, finalisation of their composition and terms of reference, processing their reports and preparation of evaluation notes, preparation of background notes identifying the thrust areas that may need specific attention and taking follow up action on the discussion of the Group.
• Identification of policy directions, major strategies and thrust areas for inclusion in the Approach documents of the Planning Commission.
• Preparation of background notes and organising meetings with the concerned Central Departments/Ministries for the finalisation of approaches, policies, strategies, targets, investment priorities etc. in the context of the formulation of Five Year Plans.
• Drafting of sub-sectoral sections for inclusion in the Draft Plan Document.
• Briefs prepared in respect of sub sectors state-wise for the use of Deputy Chairman's discussions with Chief Ministers to finalise Annual Plan outlays. These briefs are made use of by State Plan Advisers in their briefing meetings with Deputy Chairman and Members of the Planning Commission.
• Organising Working Group meetings to finalise Annual and Five Year Plans, draft Five Year Plan proposals and proposals of the State Government. This involves preparation of background papers, discussions on inter-se plan priorities, critical examination of plan proposals in relation to plan objectives and approaches, preparation of Working Group reports giving, interalia, outlays and physical targets.
• Finalisation of Annual Plans of the concerned Central Ministries/Departments and the State Governments. This includes assessment of progress, both in physical and financial terms, in relation to the approved targets and outlays, schemewise examination of the proposals and recommendations regarding targets and outlays for the next Annual Plan.
• To criticaly examine the offered comments on the Expenditure Finance Committee Memos relating to Central Plan schemes. Cabinet Notes, VIP references concerning Agriculture Sector, etc.
• To conduct studies on important matters concerning Agriculture and Allied Sectors.
• To maintain close liaison with the concerned Central Ministries and State Governments and to also coordinate with organisations/ institutions with a view to ensuring follow-up of various Plan policies, strategies and programmes.
• Work relating to Parliament Questions, Parliament Committees, etc.

2. The subjects dealt with in this Division are:
I Agricultural Research and Education :-

• General policies and schemes relating to Agricultural Research and Education, ii) Indian Council of Agricultural Research and various
• Central Research Institutes,
• Development of Agricultural Universities.

II. Agricultural Extension and Administration

• Agricultural Administration at different levels.
• Transfer of Technology to the field
• Strengthening of Extension Machinery
• Coordination and linkage between extension, research and input agencies and local organisation.
• Agricultural Inputs
• Soil and Water Conservation including Land Reclamation
• Rainfed Farming - major crops
• Foodgrain crops like wheat, rice, cereals and pulses,
• Commercial crops like oilseeds, sugarcane, cotton, jute & mesta.
• Plantation crops like coffee, tea, rubber, spices and tobacco.
• Development of Horticulture crops
• Agricultural Statistics
• Agricultural Export
• Small Farmer Agri-Business Consortium
• Animal Husbandry
• Cattle and Buffalo breeding and their development
• Cross-breeding of Cattle
• Feed and Fodder development
• Development of sheep, wool, goat, pigs, equines and mule, etc. including organisation of their cooperatives
• Cattle and Buffalo breeding farms
• Control of livestock diseases
• Biological products and their production
• Establishment or quarantine-cum-certification service stations
• Production of livestock products, i.e., milk, eggs and wool
• Animal Welfare Board
• Compilation of Statistics and Research in respect of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• Organisation of slaughter house corporation
• Dairying and Milk Supply
• Dairy Development
• Implementation of Operation Flood III Project
• Organisation of marketing of milk and dairy cooperatives
• Establishment of cattle feed plants
• Fisheries
• Policies and objectives during the Plan
• Targets of fish production and programmes
• Strategy for fish production
• Marine Fisheries
• Inland Fisheries
• Training and Extension
• Agricultural Marketing, Storage and Warehousing
• Regulation, Management and Development of Markets
• Quality Control
• Marketing, Research, Surveys and Studies
• Agricultural Marketing Extension
• Rural Godowns
• Cooperation, Agricultural Credit and Crop insurance
• Cooperative Credit
• Cooperative marketing
• Cooperative Processing
• Cooperative Storage
• Consumer Cooperatives
• Cooperative education, training and research
• Cooperative for weaker sections e.g. labour cooperatives and transport cooperatives
• Agricultural credit through various institutional sources:
• Cooperatives
• Commercial banks
• Regional Rural banks
• Crop Insurance 

Education:

The scope of work of the Education Division covers:

• Different stages of education such as Pre-primary, formal and non-formal Education, Secondary, Senior Secondary, University and Technical Education;
• Special areas such as that of girls' education, Education for the children of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes;
• Adult Education and Education in the backward areas.

2. The major Education programmes relate to achieving the aim of Universalisation of Elementary Education through Sarva Siksha Abhiyan, Adult Education, Vocationalisation of Education, Teacher Education, Science Education, Educational Planning, Administration and Supervision, Physical Education, Games and Sports, Scholarship, Language Development, Book Promotion, Libraries, Youth Service Schemes, Cultural Institutions and activities etc.

3. The Education Division performs the following functions, within the areas of its concern:

1. Formation of long-term, medium-term and annual plans for the Central and the State/Union Territories levels, defining the phases in which they should be implemented, assigning their inter-se priorities and resource allocation;
2. Coordination of the education plans of the States/Union Territories and the central agencies including the University Grants Commission and the National Council of Education Research & Training as well as of the national-educational plan with the development plans in other sectors, assessing and indicating adjustments needed in the plan policies, programmes and priorities so as to achieve national goals and objectives;
3. In support of the above functions, maintain educational statistics and undertake/promote/support research studies and surveys covering –
   (a) Generation, collection, compilation and analysis of data and relevant information (b) Programme evaluation and prognosis and
   (c) Alternative and/or supplementary measures and new policy initiatives in the field of education;
4. Collaborate with and/or advise/assist the concerned Government Departments, international organizations and other agencies like NUEPA, NCERT, UGC in matters such as;
   (a) Foreign technical assistance for education development;
   (b) Training of educational planning functionaries;
   (c) Administrative reforms, innovations and experiments bearing upon economy efficiency and effectiveness of educational services; and
5. Examine resource mobilization and low cost strategies/alternatives and make recommendations in this regard;
6. Review of Committees and Commissions, Central Advisory Boards and Annual/Five Year Plan;
7. The technical staff of the Division is also working on the Educational Statistics received from the MHRD, and the Department of Statistics and other agencies.

Art & Culture

The functions of Education Division are primarily to provide over-all policy and guidance in formulation of plans and programmes for preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the country. These are plans/programmes of the Ministry of Culture, whose main activities are of archaeological excavations, promotion of visual & literary arts, preservation of the material and non-material heritage, developing of museums, libraries and institutions. A number of institutions have been actively associated with the promotion, preservation and dissemination of rich cultural heritage of India.

Youth Affairs & Sports

The Education Division also looks after the over-all planning and policies of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports take steps to channelize the energy of the youth into constructive work and to inculcate in them noble and patriotic values. These programmes stress promotion & up-gradation of necessary life skills amongst the youth through vocational training besides creating employment opportunities for them. Efforts are made to involve youth in national building activities. The Division also addresses issues relating to promotion of sports, sports talents and sports infrastructure in States/UTs.

Employment 

The subjects dealt with by this Division are described below:
I. Analytical and Estimation Work

• Estimation of labour force, employment and unemployment - Analysis of data and trends in participation rates, labour force/work force, unemployment and industrial distribution of work force from Census and National Sample Survey Organization.
• Estimation of Stock and economically active educated manpower - Analysis of information of intake and out­turn of educated manpower by different categories and requirements of different categories of manpower,
• Estimation of Status of employment - casual, regular salaried and self-employment
• Estimation of employment elasticities from growth of employment and growth of GDP.
• Estimation of sectoral employment and projection.
• Studies on employment and connected issues.
• Occasional Reports on Employment

II. Employment Strategy, Labour and Manpower Policy

• Matters pertaining to the details of employment strategy, labour and manpower policy in the Five Year Plans -
• General employment and labour matters including monitoring of employment trends, strategy etc.

III. Plan schemes for Labour and Labour Welfare and Special Employment.

• Labour and Labour Welfare Schemes ~ Central and State Plans for resource allocation for Training, Employment Service, Labour Welfare and Labour Research.
• Employment aspects of Plan Schemes and Special Employment Programmes in State Plans.
• Formulation of Plan in terms of preparation of the Chapter on Labour. Employment and Manpower in the Five Year Plan documents and Chapter on the Labour and Training in the Annual Plan documents.
• Examination of Social Security Schemes available and policy relating to them.
• Examination of Labour Laws and policy relating to them.
• Examination of Plan proposals of the Ministry of Labour and State Governments/Union Territory Administrations on employment programmes run by other Ministries.

IV. Labour Policy

• Matters pertaining to bonded labour. child labour, women labour, migrant labour, industrial safety and enforcement of minimum wages.
• Matters pertaining to craftsmen training and employment service machinery

V. Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR)

• Matters connected with research activities of Institute of Applied Manpower Research
• Matters connected with Administrative work of Institute of Applied Manpower Research and release of monthly non-plan grants-m-aid for IAMR.
• Matters relating to plan schemes of new campus of IAMR in Narela.
• Matters relating to work of General Council (GC), Executive Council (EC) and Standing Committee on Research Project (SCRP) of IAMR.

VI. Others

• Work relating to Technical Advisory Committee on Statistics of Prices & Cost of Living.
• Work relating to Technical Advisory Committee on Survey Design on Employment and Unemployment conducted by NSSO. 

Environment & Forest

Environment

Environmental load increases with increasing population and rapid economic growth. Growth should be environmentally benign and sustainable. Monitoring and timely actions for mitigation of negative environmental impacts are important. Greater environmental awareness, appropriate policies and regulatory mechanisms are important means to ensure these considerations in development.

Forests

Forest cover of India is 67.71 million ha, which is 20.60% of its geographical area. Of this, 5.46 million ha (1.66%) is very dense forest, 33.26 million ha (10.12%) is moderately dense and the rest 28.99 million ha is open including 0.44 million ha of mangroves. The policy target is to have 33% forest and tree cover ultimately which will require additional coverage of 16 million ha.

Wildlife

Sanctuaries and National Parks showcase biodiversity and require specific measures for preservation. There are 96 National Parks and 509 Wildlife sanctuaries declared for the protection of wildlife habitats. The total area of 15.7 million ha, which is about 4.78% of the geographical area of the country covering about 20% of the total forests is maintained under the protected area network.

Climate Change

Global Climate Change due to rising levels of Green House Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere is one of the most serious environmental concerns of our time. Since Global warming depends upon the total stock of GHG in the atmosphere, continued emissions beyond the earth’s absorptive capacity necessarily imply a rise in temperature. If emissions are stabilized at present level, a warming of about 0.2oC per decade is projected by Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Many Regions in India are highly vulnerable to natural and other disasters on account of geological conditions. About 60% of the landmass is susceptible to earthquakes and over 8% is prone to floods. Of the nearly 7500 kilometers of coastline, approximately 5700 kilometers is prone to cyclones. About 68% area is susceptible to drought.

Disaster Management

The Disaster Management Act, 2005 has been enacted for establishing requisite institutional mechanisms for drawing up and monitoring the implementation of disaster management plans, ensuring measures by various wings of the government for prevention and mitigating the effects of disasters, and for undertaking a holistic, coordinated and prompt response to any disaster situation.
The Environment and Forest Division is concerned with:

• Devising plans for the improvement of Environment and Forestry activities, this involves the following tasks:
  - Formulation of Five Year Plans, Annual Plans, processing reports and evaluation.
  - Identification of thrust areas that need specific attention and Follow up actions.
  - Identification of policy directions, major strategies and thrust areas for inclusion in the approach documents of the Planning Commission.
• Preparation of background notes Finalization of approaches, policies, strategies, targets, investment priorities etc. in the context of formulation of Five Year Plans with concerned Central Departments/Ministries.
• Performance Review (PR) of Financial/Physical Performance of the concerned Ministry Plan Schemes, Initiatives and Follow-up.
• Review and monitoring the performance of State and Central Pollution Control Boards and gives directions for their effective reach.
• Promotes Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) among the Industrial sectors and Public Entrepreneurs in order to reduce GHG emissions and thereby involving in Carbon trading which leads to the development of sustainable energy development.
• Crafting Weather Insurance program for the farmers of the country which may lead to an ultimate solution for the crop insurance.

Health, Nutrition & Family Welfar:

The Division has following important functions: -

1. Evolving policy and strategy guidelines pertaining to:
   • Health & Family Welfare
   • AYUSH
   • Initiatives to improve nutritional status of the population; and
   • Flagship programme National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
2. Drawing up short, medium and long-term perspectives and goals for each of these sectors.
3. Monitoring changing trends in the health sector viz., epidemiological, demographic, social and managerial challenges.
4. Examining current policies, strategies and programmes in health & family welfare and nutrition, both in the State and in the Central Sector and suggest appropriate modifications / mid course corrections.
5. Suggesting methods for improving efficiency and quality of services.
6. Evolving priorities for basic, clinical and operational research essential for improving health status of the population.
7. Looking into inter-sectoral issues and evolve appropriate policies and strategies for convergence of services so that the population is benefitted optimally from on-going programmes.

The Division represents the Planning Commission in:

1. Various Committees of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Women & Child Development
2. EFC/SFC pertaining to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Women & Child Development
3. Expert Panels set up from time to time to advise the Planning Commission regarding the priorities and targets in the Plans and Programmes relating to Health, FW and Nutrition - the resources including human and material required, the training programmes to be initiated, standards of construction and equipment for health facilities and the development of health research etc.
4. Scientific Advisory Groups of Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, Public Health Foundation of India, etc.

Minerals:

The Industry Division deals with the industrialisation issues including policies and programmes relating to large and medium industries. It handles matters concerning formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Plans and programmes for the larger and medium industries for the Annual and Five Year Plans in respect of both the Central Sector and States /UT's . The industry groups /industries being dealt with by the Division include engineering industries like capital goods industry, steel, non-ferrous metals, ship building, fertilizers, chemicals and petrochemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles including jute, electronics, paper and paper board, cement, sugar, leather, alcohol; other consumer industries, etc.
The division also deals with issues such as economic reforms, liberalisation, disinvestment, technology policies, public sector, foreign direct investment, exports, productivity, consumer protection, weights & measures, Patent/IPR/Trademark and similar other matters which have a bearing on industrial development of the country. The matters relating to public sector enterprises and industrial finance are also handled by the Division, Reference to the Planning Commission in these areas in the form of Cabinet Notes, Parliament question and other miscellaneous forms of communication are dealt with in the Division.
The broad functions of the Division are:

• To handle all matters relating to industrial policy and other associated policy issues relating to industrial development including industrial incentives framework, investment promotion, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment and technology transfer.
• To deal with policies relating to the public sector enterprises including public enterprise reforms and privatization programmes as well as private sector development.
• To handle matters relating to industrial finance, financial institutions and capital markets as also policies towards sick industries, industrial restructuring and industrial relations policies.
• To study and analyse industrial statistics and undertake special studies relating to industrial development and sickness.
• To undertake appraisal and evaluation of industrial projects in the public sector and to examine physical progress of projects and schemes of public sector enterprises including infrastructural development programmes and also review of financial performance of these undertakings.
• To undertake appraisal and evaluation of industrial projects related to development of export infrastructure and allied activities.
• To undertake appraisal of export promotion efforts and market access initiatives in the wake of WTO regime.
• h) To implement policy issues relating to Disinvestment of PSUs. The Division provides technical support to officers representing Planning Commission in core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment.
• To study and analyse industrial production trends and to make forecast of the demand estimates and to conduct studies regarding technological and economic aspect of industrial units, capital formation in the organized industrial sector and source of supply of funds, problems of allocation of institutional finance, regional and backward area development, etc.
• j) To undertake coordination and review of industrial development programmes with related sectors like power and transport and to inter-act with various Ministries on these and other related subjects.
• To formulate plans and programmes for development of various industrial sub-sectors and industries, their financing and re-viewing the targets of capacity and production.
• To study scientific and technical advances and technology transfer issues having bearing on the development in various industrial fields.
• To study factors inhibiting or accelerating growth in particular sectors for industries and analyse the causes of various problems being faced by individual industries and industry groups.
• Monitoring the programmes and progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes relating to industrial sector export promotion and allied activities.
• To inter-act with various Ministries, Industry Associations and other Governmental and non-Governmental bodies on industrial matters and participate in the deliberations of inter-agency committees and groups dealing with these subjects.
• To inter-act with the State Governments and Union Territories on industrial development issues and to participate in the formulation of Annual and Five year development programmes for the industrial sector in the State and Union Territory plans. 

Industry:

The Industry Division deals with the industrialisation issues including policies and programmes relating to large and medium industries. It handles matters concerning formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Plans and programmes for the larger and medium industries for the Annual and Five Year Plans in respect of both the Central Sector and States /UT's . The industry groups /industries being dealt with by the Division include engineering industries like capital goods industry, steel, non-ferrous metals, ship building, fertilizers, chemicals and petrochemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, textiles including jute, electronics, paper and paper board, cement, sugar, leather, alcohol; other consumer industries, etc.

The division also deals with issues such as economic reforms, liberalisation, disinvestment, technology policies, public sector, foreign direct investment, exports, productivity, consumer protection, weights & measures, Patent/IPR/Trademark and similar other matters which have a bearing on industrial development of the country. The matters relating to public sector enterprises and industrial finance are also handled by the Division, Reference to the Planning Commission in these areas in the form of Cabinet Notes, Parliament question and other miscellaneous forms of communication are dealt with in the Division.
The broad functions of the Division are:

• To handle all matters relating to industrial policy and other associated policy issues relating to industrial development including industrial incentives framework, investment promotion, infrastructure development, foreign direct investment and technology transfer.
• To deal with policies relating to the public sector enterprises including public enterprise reforms and privatization programmes as well as private sector development.
• To handle matters relating to industrial finance, financial institutions and capital markets as also policies towards sick industries, industrial restructuring and industrial relations policies.
• To study and analyse industrial statistics and undertake special studies relating to industrial development and sickness.
• To undertake appraisal and evaluation of industrial projects in the public sector and to examine physical progress of projects and schemes of public sector enterprises including infrastructural development programmes and also review of financial performance of these undertakings.
• To undertake appraisal and evaluation of industrial projects related to development of export infrastructure and allied activities.
• To undertake appraisal of export promotion efforts and market access initiatives in the wake of WTO regime.
• h) To implement policy issues relating to Disinvestment of PSUs. The Division provides technical support to officers representing Planning Commission in core Group of Secretaries on Disinvestment.
• To study and analyse industrial production trends and to make forecast of the demand estimates and to conduct studies regarding technological and economic aspect of industrial units, capital formation in the organized industrial sector and source of supply of funds, problems of allocation of institutional finance, regional and backward area development, etc.
• j) To undertake coordination and review of industrial development programmes with related sectors like power and transport and to inter-act with various Ministries on these and other related subjects.
• To formulate plans and programmes for development of various industrial sub-sectors and industries, their financing and re-viewing the targets of capacity and production.
• To study scientific and technical advances and technology transfer issues having bearing on the development in various industrial fields.
• To study factors inhibiting or accelerating growth in particular sectors for industries and analyse the causes of various problems being faced by individual industries and industry groups.
• Monitoring the programmes and progress of Centrally Sponsored Schemes relating to industrial sector export promotion and allied activities.
• To inter-act with various Ministries, Industry Associations and other Governmental and non-Governmental bodies on industrial matters and participate in the deliberations of inter-agency committees and groups dealing with these subjects.
• To inter-act with the State Governments and Union Territories on industrial development issues and to participate in the formulation of Annual and Five year development programmes for the industrial sector in the State and Union Territory plans. 

Infrastructure:

A. Transport

• Addressing policy issues concerning railways, roads, road transport, shipping, ports, inland water transport and civil aviation for improving efficiency and making these sectors more responsive to the present and future requirements of the country.
• Addressing inter-modal issues for improving coordination among different transport sectors and ensuring that each sector works according to its comparative advantage and efficiency.
• Organizing Quarterly Performance Review Meetings for different transport sectors to monitor progress of transport sector projects according to Plan priorities and targets.
• Carrying out zero-based budgeting in consultation with various transport sector Ministries to improve efficiency and utilization of resources according to Plan priorities and objectives.
• Work relating to Parliamentary Committees for different transport sectors.
• Examining Five Year and Annual Plan proposals received from the States, Union Territories and North Eastern Council in respect of transport sectors.
• Discussions with the representatives of the State Governments and Union Territories to review physical targets, programmes and outlays of Five Year and Annual Plans of States and Union Territories.
• Examining the proposals of State Governments for provision of Additional Central Assistance.
• Participation in various workshops and seminars relating to the transport sector.
• Formulation, appraisal and monitoring of Five Year and Annual Plans.
• Mid-term review of Five Year Plans.
• Providing inputs for the Working Group Reports on the various transport sectors; preparing Steering Committee Report on Transport Sector.

Specific sector-wise responsibilities are as under:
I. Railways

• Study of Railways Resources position.
• Integrating and coordinating development plans for Railway transport with plans in related sectors such as industry, mining and ports.
• Examination and appraisal of railway projects relating to new lines, gauge conversions, doubling, metropolitan transport projects, electrification for clearance.
• Monitoring of traffic handled by railways
• Determination of traffic targets based on inter-sector linkages.

II. Roads

• Evaluation of project reports/feasibility studies for consideration of Public Investment Board, Expenditure Finance Committee/Standing Finance Committee.
• Examination of schemes received from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for clearance of the Planning Commission relating to National Highways, Strategic roads, Roads of Economic and Inter-State importance, road development in sensitive border areas and tribal roads.
• Review and Monitoring of National Highway Development Project comprising Golden Quadrilateral and North-South, East-West corridor projects.
• Examination of proposals from various States in the North- Eastern region for providing assistance through Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources.
• Examining proposals received for the consideration of High Powered Committee on BOT projects.
• Examining proposals relating to National Highway Development Project for consideration of National Highways Authority of India Board.

III. Road Transport

• Analytical review of operations and assessment of financial resources of Road Transport Corporations of various States.
• Preparation of Review notes of functioning of State Road Transport Undertakings/Corporations for improving efficiency.

IV. Shipping

• Analytical review of operations and assessment of financial resources of Public Sector Undertakings.
• Coordinating investment programme with a view to ensuring integrated development of ports, shipping and railways.
• Reviewing and assessing the performance of Indian shipping industry with regard to traffic carried and productivity improvement. Requirement of the Indian Shipping sector is assessed taking into account traffic mix, technological development and port facilities available.
• Assessment of financial performance of shipping industry, role of Government/financial institutions in financing acquisition and suggesting alternative measures of financing and resource mobilisation.

V. Ports

• Evaluation of Project Reports/Feasibility Studies for consideration of Public Investment Board/Expenditure Finance Committee/Standing Finance Committee.
• 2.Assessing port capacities and the traffic requirements at individual ports.
• 3.Port productivity indicators such as equipment, cargo-handling system, labour productivity monitored so that norms of productivity laid down should be fulfilled and improved.
• Reviewing the working of major ports with particular reference to their development programmes, financial resources, projection of traffic.

VI. Inland Water Transport.

• Examination of Project/Reports/Feasibility Studies for consideration of Public Investment Board/Expenditure Finance Committee.

VII. Civil Aviation

• Reviewing the Working of Public Sector Corporations like Air India, Indian Airlines, International Airports Authority of India with particular reference to growth of traffic and financial results.
• Evaluation of Project Reports/Feasibility Studies for acquisition of aircrafts, development of airports and associated programmes for consideration of Public Investment Boards/EFC/SFC.
• Matters relating to restructuring of metro air ports to make them world class.

(B) Construction Sector
Construction Sector is an additional charge with the Transport Division. The main responsibility of the Transport Division is to examine the policy issues relating to the construction sector and preparing Report of the Working Group on Construction Sector set up in connection with the formulation of Five Year Plan; preparing material on construction sector for the Tenth Plan document. Other activities include participation in the seminars, workshops and conferences relating to construction sector, participation in the meetings of Board of Governors of Construction Industry Development Council and other organizations in the field of construction.

Rural Development:

The function of the Rural Development Division is primarily to provide overall policy guidance in formulation of plans and programmes for Rural Development. This is the nodal Division for matters relating to poverty eradication, employment generation in rural areas, development of watershed & degraded land. The following specific activities are undertaken by Division;

1. To assist in formulation of rural development programmes to be included in Five Year Plans and Annual Plans and to make periodic assessment of progress achieved.
2. To analyse and prepare comments on the EFC Memoranda and Cabinet Notes paper for Group of Ministers pertaining to rural development programmes.
3. To maintain liaison with Ministry of Rural Development, National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD) and other allied organisations mainly and participating in the meetings.
4. To collect information from various Divisions of the Planning Commission, State Governments and also from the Central Ministries which are implementing various schemes related to rural development.
5. To organize Working Group meetings to finalise the Draft Five Year Plan proposals of the State Governments. This involves the preparation of background papers, discussions on inter-se plan priorities, critical examination of plan proposals in relation to plan objectives and approaches, preparation of Working Group Reports giving, inter-alia, outlays and physical targets.
6. Finalisation of the Five Year Plan outlays of the Ministry of Rural Development. Finalisation of Annual Plans of the Central Ministry of Rural Development and State Governments. This includes assessment of progress both in physical and financial terms, in relation to the approved targets and outlays, scheme-wise examination of proposals and reviewing targets and finalizing allocation for next Annual Plan.
7. To provide comments, materials etc. for Public representations, VIP references, Parliament Questions and Agenda items for the meetings of Consultative Committee/ Standing Committee for the Planning Commission pertaining to rural development sector are also attended to.

The Rural Development Division looks after the following programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD):

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA),

The NREG was launched on February 2, 2006 and the first full year of operation was 2006-07 covering 200 districts. The programme was expanded to 330 districts in 2007-08 and covers the whole country from 1.4.08. The primary objective of the scheme is to provide guaranteed work for 100 days for any household wishing to have such employment. Although all households are eligible, the expectation is that only the poorer sections, i.e., landless labour and marginal farmers would actually seek work. The secondary objective is to ensure that employment generated is from works that raise land productivity.

Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)

SGSY is a major on-going scheme for the self-employment of the rural poor. The basic objective of the scheme is to bring the assisted poor families (swarozgaris) above the poverty line by providing them income generating assets through a mix of bank credit and government subsidy. Credit is the critical component of the scheme whereas the subsidy is an enabling element. The scheme involves organisation of the poor into Self Help Groups (SHGs) build their capacities through a process of social mobilization, their training, selection of key activities, planning of activity clusters, creation of infrastructure, provision of technology and marketing support, etc. Under the scheme focus is on the group approach. However, individual Swarozgaris are also assisted. The SGSY is being implemented by the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) with the active involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), banks, line Departments and the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).

The credit mobilization under SGSY has been abysmally low. Further, a large number of SHGs are formed but fizzle out midway after availing the revolving fund. To make the scheme more effective it is being re-structured with a sharper focus on poorest of the poor people. A suitable mechanism will be put in place for higher social mobilization, capacity building and institution building among the target population

Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY)

The IAY is being implemented as an independent scheme since 1996. It aims to provide assistance for construction / upgradation of dwelling units to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) rural households, with special emphasis on SCs, STs and freed bonded labor categories. A maximum assistance of Rs 35,000 per unit is provided for construction in plain areas and Rs 38,500 per unit for hilly/difficult areas. Rs 15000 is given for upgradation of a dwelling unit for all areas. The funding of IAY is shared between the Centre and State in the ratio of 75:25. (100% in the case of UTs).

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was launched with the aim to provide social assistance benefit to poor households in the case of old age, death of primary breadwinner and maternity. The programme supplements the efforts of the State Governments with the objective of ensuring minimum national levels of well being and the Central assistance is an addition to the benefit that the States are already providing on Social Protection Schemes. With a view to ensure better linkage with nutrition and national population control programmes, the Maternity Benefit Component of the NSAP was transferred to the Department of Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with effect from 2001-02. The schemes of NSAP and Annapurna have been transferred to the State Plan with effect from 2002-03 with a view to provide requisite flexibility to the State / UT in the choice and implementation of the schemes.

Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP)

During the Eleventh Plan, the three area development programmes, namely, Integrated Wasteland Development Programme, Drought Prone Area Programme and Desert Development Programme have been integrated and consolidated into a single programme called Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP). This consolidation is for optimum use of resources, sustainable outcomes an integrated planning. The common guidelines for the Watershed Development Programme have been formulated and are effective from 1.4.2008. An amount of Rs.1825 crore has been allocated for IWMP during 2008-09. The ongoing projects sanctioned prior to 1.4.2008 under DADP, DDP, and IWDP would be continued to be implemented as per old guidelines.

The modified IWMP would adopt a three tier apporch in which the upper reaches which are mainly forested and hilly would be treated with the support of Forest Department. For land situated intermediate slopes above the agriculture lands, the IWMP would address all the necessary issues of land treatment by adopting best possible options including cropping pattern, horticulture and agro-forestry etc. In the lower tire, which are plains and mainly agricultural lands, the IWMP would be dovetailed with the employment generating programme such as National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) an would fill the critical gaps of NREGS and vice versa.

Under the new programme, a cluster approach would be followed with a broader vision of natural hydro-geographical unit of average size of 4,000 to 10,000 ha. comprising of clusters of micro-watershed to be selected as project area. The progrrame would be implemented by dedicated institutional agencies at state and central level. Professional support (in the form of multidisciplinary expert team) would be provided to support these institutions with proper fund allocation. A core GIS facility with spatial and non-spatial data augmented with satellite imagery data would be set up for giving Controlled access/distributon for local project planning.

The project period is proposed in the range of 5 to 7 years in three distinct phases, i.e. Preparatory, Watershed works and Consodilation phase. The consodilation phase will include livelihood activities, marketing, processing and value addition activities.

National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP):

The National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) has been conceptualized as a major system and reform initiative that is concerned not merely with computerization, updating and maintenance of land records and validation of titles, but also as a programme that will add value and provide a comprehensive database for planning developmental, regulatory and disaster management activities by providing location-specific information, while providing citizen services based on land records data.

Under the NLRMP, the following three layers of data will be integrated on a geographic information system (GIS) platform: Spatial data from satellite imagery/aerial photography, Survey of India and Forest Survey of India maps, and Revenue records: cadastral maps and RoR details. All cadastral maps will be digitized, and data included with plot numbers and unique id for each land parcel. Administrative unit boundaries from village level upwards (including panchayat, block, tehsil, circle, sub-division, district, division, State and national boundaries), forest, water bodies and other physical attributes of land and land use details will be overlaid, and other developmental layers (e.g., watersheds, road networks, etc.) added to the core GIS.

The activities to be supported under the Programme, inter alia, include survey/resurvey using modern technology including aerial photogrammetry, updating of land records including mutation records, completion of computerization of the records of rights (RoRs), computerization of registration, automatic generation of mutation notices, digitization of maps , integration of the entire system digitization of maps and training and capacity building of the concerned officials and functionaries. Connectivity amongst the land records and registration offices and land records management centers at tehsil/taluk/circle/block level would be supported. Access to land records data would be provided to Cooperative and other financial institutions for facilitating credit operations.

A major focus of the Programme will be on citizen services, such as providing records of rights (RoRs) with maps; other land-based certificates such as caste certificates, income certificates (particularly in rural areas), domicile certificates; information for eligibility for development programmes; land passbooks, etc.

In addition, the Programme will be of immense usefulness to the governments - both Central and State Governments - in modernizing and bringing efficiency to the land revenue administration as well as offering a comprehensive tool for planning various land-based developmental, regulatory and disaster management activities needing location-specific information. Even the private sector will be able to benefit from this comprehensive tool for planning business and economic activities.

As indicated above, the NLRMP has been approved by the Cabinet in its meeting held on 21.8.2008. The budget provision for the Scheme during the current year (2008-09) is Rs.473.00 crore. Accordingly, it is proposed to implement the NLRMP across the country and to make it fully operational over the next five to eight year period. The components of the scheme will become integrated with the Revenue Administration of the States/UTs and will continue as such on an ongoing basis.

Science & Technology:

Since Independence, India has endeavoured to bring economic and social change through science and technology. The effort has been both on upgrading the traditional skills to make them relevant and competitive and developing advanced capabilities in frontier areas of science and technology. The visionaries who led the growth of science and technology (S&T) in India were convinced that S&T could play an important role in transforming India in to a modern, industrialized society. Experience and results show that this confidence was well placed. Science, technology, and innovation are even more relevant today. Scientific knowledge and expertise, innovation, high technology, industrial infrastructure and skilled workforce are the currencies of this new era. Science and Technology are important drivers of economic growth and development in the contemporary world. The present juncture is critical for Indian science and major positive steps in this area will help the country to achieve sustained and rapid growth in the future.

The Science and Technology Division of the Planning Commission is the nodal division for all matters relating to Science and Technology Plan formulation ( both Five Year Plans and Annual Plans) and appraisal of the S&T programmes of six major S&T agencies/Departments, viz.

• Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)- R&D Sector
• Department of Space (DOS)
• Department of Science and Technology (DST)
• Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) including the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)

The Division has been maintaining a close liaison with these S&T agencies/departments for smooth information flow and provides them important suggestions/inputs in the formulation of various S&T plans and programmes at various stages of plan formulation, implementation and half yearly reviews. The Division has also been providing important inputs in the formulation of S&T Policy.

In order to promote Science and Technology in the States/UTs, create scientific awareness among the masses through popularization of S&T and technology dissemination for improving the quality of life of the people, the Division undertakes detailed discussions with the representatives of the States/UTs and provides important inputs/suggestions for the formulation of their Five Year Plans and Annual Plans in respect of the Science and Technology Sector. 

Social Welfare:

The Social Welfare Division handles two sectors; (i) Social Welfare; and (ii) Women and Child Development. The Social Welfare Sector deals the welfare, rehabilitation and development of persons with disabilities, social deviants and other disadvantaged in close co-ordination with the nodal Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Women and Child Development sector handles Empowerment of women and Development of Children in close co-ordination with the nodal Department of Women and Child Development. The primary functions of the Division, inter-alia, include the following:
Social Welfare

• Over all Policy Guidance / Advice both Governmental (central and State levels) and non-Governmental Organisations in the field of Social Welfare
• Work relating to Five Year and Annual Plans ( Social Welfare)

a) Central Sector

• Setting up of Working Groups at the Ministerial level and co­ordination with the nodal Ministry.
• Setting up of Steering Committees in the Planning Commission and its related work viz,, Organizing meetings; Preparation of background /agenda / minutes of the meetings; Preparation of Steering Committee Reports; Approach paper and the relevant Chapter for inclusion m the Plan Document.
• Examination of Plan Proposals (Five Year and Annual Plans) and preliminary discussions with the Ministry, Co­ordination with the PC Division and the Ministry with regard to Central Working, Groups; and Recommendation of Outlays; Budget Re-appropriation matters.

b) State Sector

• Examination of Plan Proposals; Organizing State Sectoral Working Group Discussions to review the implementation of both Policies and Programmes including the physical and financial targets / achievements; Recommendation of Sectoral Outlays;
• Mid-Term Appraisal.
• Review of the progress of implementation of Policies and Programmes
• Review of achievements in relation to the targets (both physical and financial)
• Suggestions for Mid Term corrections.
• Examination and preparation of Briefs along with the comments in respect of - i) Cabinet Notes; ii) EFC Memos; iii) SFC Memos; besides attending EFC/SFC Meetings.
• Advisory role with regard to functioning of Subordinate / Attached Organisations viz. National Institutes (National Institute of Orthopaedically Handicapped (NIOH), Calcutta: National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH), Dehradun; National Institute of Hearing Handicapped (NIHH), Bombay; National Institute of Mentally Handicapped (NIMH), Secunderabad, National Institute of Rehabilitation, Training and Research (NIRTAR), Cuttack; Institute of Physically Handicapped (IPH), New Delhi; Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), New Delhi; National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC), New Delhi: Artificial Limbs Manutactunng Corporation (ALIMCO), Kanpur; & National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), New Delhi.
• Representing; Planning Commission in the meetings of - Inter- Ministerial/Departmental Co-ordination Committees; Expert Committees; Project Sanctioning Committees/ Special Committees/ Study Teams etc. set up from time to time by the Ministry.
• All Parliamentary matters viz. answering Questions including supply of material within and outside the Planning Commission,
• Co-ordination with the related Divisions within the Planning Commission.
• Special Initiatives like - i) Preparation of Policy Oriented Papers; ii) Bringing out Statistical Profile and other Publications ; iii) Developing Information / Data-Base.
• Any other work including preparation of Speeches and writing Articles relating to Social Welfare.

Women and Child Development (WCD)
The Women and Child Development Division handles all the work relating to - i) Empowerment of Women; and ii) Development of Children in close co-ordination with the nodal Department of Women and Child Development. The primary functions of the Division, inter-alia, include the following:

• Over all Policy Guidance / Advice to both Governmental (central and state levels) and Non-Governmental Organizations in the field of Women and Child Development.
• Work relating to Five Year and Annual Plans
• Central Sector
• Setting up of Working Groups at the Ministerial level and co-ordination with the nodal Department,
• Setting up of Steering Committees in the Planning Commission and its related work viz. Organizing meetings; Preparation of background /agenda / minutes of the meetings; Preparation of Steering Committee Reports; Approach paper and the relevant Chapter for inclusion in the Plan Document.
• Examination of Plan Proposals (Five Year and Annual Plans) and preliminary discussions with the Ministry; Coordination with the Department with regard to Central Working Groups; and Recommendation of Outlays; Budget / Re-appropriation matters.

b. State Sector

• Examination of Plan Proposals; Organizing State Sectoral Working Group Discussions to review the implementation of both Policies and Programmes including the physical and financial targets /achievements; Recommendation of Sectoral Outlays;
• Mid-Term Appraisal
• Preview of the progress of implementation of Policies and Programmes,
• Review of achievements in relation to the targets (both physical and financial),
• Suggestions for Mid-Term corrections.
• Examination and preparation of Briefs along with the Comments in respect of - i) Cabinet Notes; ii) EFC Memos; iii) SFC Memos with regard to Schemes relating to Women and Children, besides attending EFC/SFC Meetings.
• Advisory role with regard to the Subordinate/Attached Organisations viz, National Commission for Women (NCW), New Delhi; Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), New Delhi; National Institute for Public Co-operation and Child Development (NIPCCD), New Delhi; Rashtrya Mahila Kosh (RMK), New Delhi.
• Represening Planning Commission in the meetings of - Parliamentry Committees; Inter-Minstrial / Departmental Co­ ordination Committees; Expert Committees; Task Force on the Subject; Project Sanctioning Committees; Special Committees: Study Teams; etc. set up from time to time by the Department; Governing Board and General Body Meetings of the Subordinate Organizations.
• All Parliamentary matters viz. answaring Questions, supply of material within and outside the Planning Commission.
• Co-ordination with - i) women and child - related Ministies/ Departments; ii) Subject Divisions within the Planning Commission; and iii) UN and other International Agencies.
• Special Initiatives like - i) Preparation of Policy Oriented Papers; ii) Bringing out Statistical Profiles and other Publications; iii) Developing Information / Data-Base.
• Any other work including preparation of Speeches and writing Articles relating to Women and Child Development.