© 2023 IJRTI | Volume 8, Issue 3 | ISSN: 2456-3315
Impact of Government Schemes on Rural
Development in India
Dr Jitendra Singh Bidawat*
*
HOD, Department of Accountancy and Business Statistics,
Shri Mahaveer College, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Abstract: The term "rural development" is often used to describe the practise of enhancing the standard of living
and economic prosperity of people in remote and sparsely inhabited regions. Government efforts to improve
rural areas have traditionally prioritised ending extreme poverty, expanding access to sustainable means of
support, and bolstering local economies via the introduction of new forms of paid and unpaid work. India's
government has launched a number of initiatives designed to foster the development of a robust rural economy.
Through productive asset creation, such as road construction, cleaning up of water tanks, soil and water
conservation work, etc., government schemes provide an alternative source of livelihood that has the potential
to reduce migration, restrict child labour, alleviate poverty, and make villages self-sustaining. As a result, it has
been called the biggest anti-poverty initiative ever. This study makes an effort, based on secondary sources of
information, to provide a thorough understanding of rural development programmes and their effects on
restoring rural communities and ways of life.
Keywords: Rural development, Government schemes, Development Projects.
Introduction:-
It is difficult to overstate the significance of rural infrastructure in a growing economy like India's. Even a little increase
in the quantity and quality of rural infrastructure would have a huge impact on economic growth and quality of life. The
development and well-being of the rural people depend on investments in basic infrastructure including roads,
transportation, energy, telecommunications, housing, health, water, and sanitation. By boosting farm and non-farm
employment and earning opportunities, boosting productivity, providing access to basic goods and services, and
improving people's health and physical condition, the development of rural infrastructure has the potential to promote
economic growth, improve the standard of living of the population, and reduce the incidence of poverty.
Of India's 121 crore people, 83.3 crore reside in rural regions (Census of India, 2011). As a result, 70% of India's
population is found in rural settings. Mass poverty, low levels of literacy and income, high rates of unemployment, and
poor nutrition and health condition are all features of these rural people. Several rural development programmes are
now in way to provide chances for bettering the quality of life of these rural people and address these particular issues.
Despite the obvious significance of infrastructure, serious gaps have remained in rural areas of all Indian states. In
contrast to cities, rural regions often have worse infrastructure in terms of both number and quality. Rural regions have
difficulties in expanding basic infrastructure because of a lack of population density, low family incomes, and the
inability to take advantage of economies of scale.
Numerous studies have looked at the importance of rural development to India's economic growth and development.
The economic growth and number of jobs created in a state are both enhanced when the state has high-quality
infrastructure to attract private investors from near and far. It has been hypothesised that differences in physical, social,
and financial infrastructures across states account for the observed variation in per capita income. Enhancing agricultural
production, expanding rural farm and non-farm employment, and raising the living quality of the rural people are all
ways in which rural infrastructure contributes to rural economic development and poverty reduction. "Roads, energy
supply, telecommunications, and other infrastructure services remain restricted in all rural regions, despite their critical
role to stimulating agricultural investment and development," the authors write. Safe drinking water and sanitation to
avoid illness, power to serve schools and health centres, and roads to access fundamental requirements of human
existence are all examples of infrastructural services that are vital to human well-being, it is maintained. Rural
infrastructures have a multiplicative impact on poverty alleviation by boosting agricultural output, real incomes, and
job opportunities in both the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors.
Across much of India, agriculture is playing a less and smaller role in the overall economy. This might have far-reaching
consequences for the preservation of landscapes and the natural assets they represent, for rural communities, for regional
economies, and perhaps even for society as a whole. For this reason, rural development is starting to seem like a
*
HOD, Deptt of Accountancy and Business Statistics, Shri Mahaveer College, Jaipur, Rajasthan
IJRTI2303007 International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org) 41
© 2023 IJRTI | Volume 8, Issue 3 | ISSN: 2456-3315
promising new option. It is feasible that rural areas may be regenerated via rural development, although the degree to
which this is achievable is debatable. What circumstances and regulations are required to properly actualize this,
however, remain unclear. There is still a lack of clarity on the feasibility, efficiency, and competitiveness of rural firms
as they relate to rural development processes. Lack of understanding of the socioeconomic outcomes and processes of
rural development has the potential to become a major issue. Answers that successfully fill this void are crucial to the
continued success and legitimacy of rural development. This is especially true when weighing the positive benefits of
rural development against the negative ones of increasing liberalisation in the WTO environment and the entry of new
members to India.
Goals of rural development programmes include helping people in rural areas get the food, housing, and clothes they
need while also lowering their poverty and unemployment rates. To better the lives of those living in rural areas, the
government of India, acting via the Planning Commission of India, has implemented a number of programmes. In order
to even things out and speed up the development process, all of these plans are focused on helping those living in rural
areas catch up to those in metropolitan areas.
Research Objectives & Research Methodology:-
The following are the objectives:-
• To describe the different rural development schemes or programs.
• To examine the impact of rural development schemes in India.
• To find the impact of the various rural development policies implemented by the Government of India.
In order to conduct my research, I used a variety of secondary data sources, including research papers, journal articles,
and publications from the different government department of India.
Rural Development Schemes in India:-
Rural programs are divided into four categories. Under each category, it has been sub divided into various schemes.
Rural Development
Schemes
Programs for Rural
Program for Self Programs for
Programs for Infrastructure and
and Wage Natural Resource
Social Security Minimum Basic
Employment Management
Needs
• Program for Self and Wage Employment
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) – Insuring a Minimum Wage
Workforce (2006) Indian government established the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
on February 2, 2006. The program's stated goal is to secure at least 100 hours of minimum wage work every fiscal year.
Everyone over the age of 18 participates in this plan by offering to do physical labour that requires no training or
expertise. The number of individuals signing up for MGNREGA employment has almost doubled in the previous five
years, from 38.91 million in 2017–18 to 63.92 million in 2021–22.
Swarnajayanti Gram SwarojgarYojana (SGSY) –The Self-Employment Promotion ('Swarnajayanti Gram
SwarojgarYojana', or SGSY) Initiative was launched on April 1, 1999. The government of India implemented it to
provide a secure source of income for the country's rural poor. Self-Help groups are formed as part of the SGSY so that
locals may take advantage of chances for independent work in their communities. People's aptitudes and skills are taken
into account while choosing jobs and activities for self-help organisations. Money for the SGSY programme comes
from foundations, banks, and other sources. Over 6.697 million persons in India have benefited from the over 2.25
million Self-Help groups that have been established with an investment of Rs.14403 Core (US$2.2 billion).
• Programs for Rural Infrastructure and Minimum Basic Needs
PradhanMantriGramSadakYojana (PMGSY) -The programme officially started up on December 25th, 2000, with
the primary goal of providing reliable road access to formerly isolated rural communities. Almost 500 people found
stable employment on the plains. Specifically, the National Rural Roads Development Agency is in charge of the task
under the auspices of the Ministry of Rural Development.Through this program 4, 22,031 km lengths of roadways were
connected surrounded by the unconnected rural areas.
IJRTI2303007 International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org) 42
© 2023 IJRTI | Volume 8, Issue 3 | ISSN: 2456-3315
Swajaldhara-Community-based rural water supply programmes were prioritised at the outset of the programme, which
kicked off on December 25th, 2002, and reform efforts in the rural drinking water supply sector were made available.
The endurance of this initiative is due to the active engagement of the neighbourhood. Piped Water Spot Source Scheme
(PWSS) provides water to a wide area, whereas Spot Source Water Supply Sector Scheme (SSWSS) serves a more
limited area.For this scheme, 90% of the capital cost is given by the Government of India and 10% of the cost is of
Community contribution.
Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas (PURA)-Concept developed by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is the primary
motivation for this plan. The scheme's stated goal is to "enhance the quality of life for rural people by offering livelihood
possibilities and urban facilities via a Public Private Partnership framework for developing compact regions around a
prospective growth centre in a Gram Panchayat." The program's primary goals are to improve access to transportation
by building new roads, to information by developing a communications infrastructure, and to expertise by creating a
new professional and technology institution.
SamagraAwassYojana-The basic objective of the program is to improve the quality of rural people‘s life. The aim of
the program is to create convergence to activities which are undertaken separately in different terms so far such as
Drinking Water Schemes, Construction of Houses, sanitation facilities and ensure their effective implementation by
suitable and sustainable initiation of technology.
Indira AwassYojana-This initiative's stated goal is to provide access to affordable homes in underserved rural areas.
The amount of money supplied by this programme is Rs. 70,000 in lowland regions and Rs. 75,000.00 in highland areas.
To promote gender equality, the programme designated home ownership for women or for married couples. 2015 saw
a reorganisation of the Indira AwassYojana programme, which was renamed the PradhanMantriGraminAwaasYojana.
PradanMantriGramodayaYojana-In order to improve people's living conditions and eradicate poverty, it has long
been understood that providing them with access to basic infrastructure is crucial. Expansion of coverage and
improvements in the indices of human development show that great strides have been achieved in recent years to
increase access to basic health care, primary education, clean drinking water, and housing.
Credit cum Subsidy Scheme for Rural Housing-This initiative makes it easy for all rural households with an income
of less than Rs. 32,000 in a year to build their home. The plan's ultimate goal is to put those in rural areas who can
afford it into their own homes via building loans.
Rajiv Gandhi GrameenVidhyukthikaranYojana-In order to ensure that people in rural areas have access to energy,
the initiative will focus on generating power for rural infrastructure and electrifying rural homes.The outcome of the
scheme is 1.95 free electricity connections have been given to the rural populations.
1 Programs for Natural Resource Management
Integrated Watershed Management Program-The plan's goal is to repair environmental damage by reviving and
enhancing once-healthy soil, plant life, and water supplies. As a result of the plan, soil erosion will be reduced, natural
flora will be revitalised, rain will be collected, and the aquifer will be refilled.
Land Reforms and Land Consolidation-The purpose of land reform is to redistribute unused land to individuals who
live in rural areas but lack access to sufficient agricultural land. There is a lack of centralization and a prevalence of
tiny, dispersed farms in India's land consolidation system. Consolidating land causes inefficient resource allocation.
Thus, both voluntary and mandatory programmes need this crucial framework.
National Land Records Modernization Program-This program strengthens the revenue of administration and updates
the land records through computerization.
2 Programs for Social Security
National Social Assistance Program-Social pensions are a kind of financial aid provided by the federal government
to eligible retirees, widows, and people with disabilities.
Antyodaya Anna Yojana-Food insecure people in rural areas may rest easy knowing that this programme issues 35
kilogrammes of rice and wheat at the cheap prices of Rs. 3 and Rs. 2, respectively.
Integrated Child Development Scheme-In 1975, India launched its Integrated Child Development Scheme. The major
goal of the programme is to assist low-income families with basic needs such as food, education, and healthcare.
Atal Pension Yojana-Through this programme, low-income seniors (those over the age of 60) get a monthly stipend.
Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 who are Indian nationals are eligible to participate in this plan, which
primarily targets employees in the unorganised sector.
DeenDayalUpadhyaya Gram JyotiYojana ―Government of India programme DeenDayalUpadhyaya Gram
JyotiYojana aims to deliver reliable electricity to remote areas of India. In order to provide electricity to rural areas, the
government wants to spend a whopping 756 billion on this initiative. In its stead, the original Rajiv Gandhi
GrameenVidyutikaranYojana will be replaced with this new programme. The NDA government of India has initiated a
plan to give constant electricity to every household in the country.After researching all schemes the researcher comes
to know that there is no scope for self-empowerment for women. This made the researcher think about the MGNREGS
which has given a good impact for the upliftment of the rural women‖.
Impact of Rural Development Schemes:-
IJRTI2303007 International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org) 43
© 2023 IJRTI | Volume 8, Issue 3 | ISSN: 2456-3315
There is a strong correlation between a high human development index and a high standard of living, therefore it makes
sense that a major goal of rural development policies and programmes is to reduce poverty in rural areas, create jobs,
and end hunger and malnutrition. Economic planners think that the challenge of rural development is not only about
development of rural regions but the development of rural communities to dispel illiteracy and poverty and support the
process of developing self-reliant and self-sustaining healthy contemporary communities. Increases in GDP or even per
capita national income alone cannot be used to define rural development anymore. While the government has been
given top attention to rural development and is spending hundreds of crores via different programmes, the problem is
that not all the money allotted under the rural development plans reaches the recipient. Therefore, development has
slowed to a crawl, and the poor have not seen any relief. The creation of productive assets like roads, water tanks, soil
and water conservation work, etc., as part of rural development schemes, gives people in rural areas a chance to earn a
living without having to leave their homes. This has the knock-on effect of reducing migration, limiting child labour,
easing poverty, and making villages more self-sufficient.
To help India, national, and regional policymakers pick and defend the most effective programmes and policy measures,
it is necessary to get insight into the connections between various rural development policy initiatives and their societal
and economic effects. The proposed study aspires to provide empirically sound explanations for these issues. Rural
development's potential social and economic effect will be evaluated, and the policies most suited to generate and
maintain that impact will be analysed. All of the planned studies will be conducted in India. The study will begin with
case studies of the most successful examples of rural development, examining the effects of this process on employment,
income, investment, and inventiveness. After that, we'll use various economic and sociological methods to investigate
whether or not these findings may be extrapolated to cover a greater region.
As of this writing, the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has expanded into 6769 blocks over 706
districts in 30 states and 6 territories. More than 73.19 million women from low-income and marginalised backgrounds
have been organised into SHGs thanks to this initiative. Up to the end of the year in 2021, RSETIs will have taught
39.17 million people in 64 different fields. Of those people, 27.34 million will have found gainful work. Twenty-two
thousand and three hundred eighty-six people have been trained thus far, and twenty-two thousand and six hundred
seven have been placed as of 30 November 2021, all as part of the DDU-GKY project for the fiscal year 2021-22. A
total of 2.15 billion rupees have been allocated for the PradhanMantriAwaasYojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), with 1.68
billion dwellings built. With a goal of completing 44.09 lakh homes in FY 2021-22, we have only managed to finish 31
lakh so far.
IJRTI2303007 International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org) 44
© 2023 IJRTI | Volume 8, Issue 3 | ISSN: 2456-3315
Conclusion & Suggestions
As much as 70% of India's population lives in rural settings. Everyone, including those living in rural locations, deserves
the same high standard of life experienced by those in more urban and suburban settings. More than that, economic
hardship and urban poverty are the outward manifestations of underlying socioeconomic conflicts caused by
poverty, unemployment, and insufficient infrastructure in rural regions. With this new strategy, the government
will be able to pay the recipient directly, rather than going through a series of intermediaries. With this goal in
mind, the Aadhaar card is a groundbreaking programme that has the potential to completely alter rural India. Most
rural development programmes are aimed at below-poverty-line households, thus it's important that the
government compile an accurate list of these households and make that information, organised by village,
accessible over the internet. Despite the fact that there are many programmes meant to help us progress, we still
lag behind in key areas like education, health, sanitation, and so on. This is because the general public is unaware
of the many aid initiatives that have been created specifically for them. Therefore, it is crucial to use a variety of
audio, video, and audio visual media to raise public awareness. The dissemination of information via various
channels of communication may be of great benefit. Any plan to improve rural areas should centre on helping the
poor make the most of their inherent talents while also providing them with the education, training, and support
they need to join the workforce and contribute to the nation's expanding economy. This is essential if we want our
democracy to be really representational and welcoming to all people. Training programmes for PRI officials and
beneficiaries chosen from different programmes should be prioritised as a means of improving human capital. For
the poor to get aid from various programmes and for there to be no blunders in the selection process, it is essential
that the public have a voice in who receives assistance. In order to increase the number of people who benefit from
rural development programmes, it is necessary to launch a public education campaign.
References:-
1 Santanu Panda & Arup Majumder, A Review of Rural Development Programmes in India, International Journal of
Research in Sociology and Social Anthropology, 2013, 1(2) : 37-40, ISSN 2321–9548
2 V. Rajalakshmi, Dr. V. Selvam, Rural Development Schemes In India Special Reference To Impact Of Mgnregs
Vellore District In Tamil Nadu, International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research Volume 9, Issue 02 ,
February 2020 ISSN 2277-8616
3 AmarjeetSinha (2017). Transforming Lives Through Livelhoods. Kurukshetra, 65 (7), 5-9.
4 Harikumar, P.N., &Nirosha Joseph (2016). Impact of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Programme
among Rural Residents. Southern Economist, 55 (14), 34-38.
5 Jyothi Sharma (2016). Digital India and its Impact on the Society. International Journal of Research in Humanities
and Social Sciences, l4(4), 45-87.
6 Tripathy (2018). Rural Livelihood and Employment, Kurukshetra A Journal on Rural Development, 66 (5) , 42-
46
7 Mishra Publications, "District Administration and Rural Development". Oxford University Press, New Delhi,
1983.
8 Mathur L. (2007). Employment guarantee: Progress so far. Economic and Political Weekly, December 2007.
9 Carlsson, R., Otto, A., Hall, J.W. (2013). The role of infrastructure in macroeconomic growth theories. Civil
Engineering and Environmental Systems, 30(3–4), 263–73.
10 Dadhich, C.L. (2014). Revisiting the rural infrastructure development fund (RIDF) scheme. Indian Journal of
Agricultural Economics, 69(1), 142–49.
IJRTI2303007 International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org) 45
