1238 VDBs with 2,43,265 taxpaying households in Nagaland
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 9
During the year 2016-17, grant-in-aid to Village Development Boards (VDBs) is proposed to be continued. The total requirement of funds will amount to Rs. 9600.00 lakhs which is inclusive of restoration of back-logged funds for 2014-15 and 2015-16.
This was stated in the annual administrative report 2016-17 of Rural Development department tabled in the just concluded state assembly session by Minister for Rural Development & REPA, CL John.
The report stated that grant-in-aid to VDBs is one of the major state sponsored programmes being implemented by Rural Development department through VDBs.
There are 1238 VDBs in the state with 2,43,265 taxpaying households.
Fund under this programme is allocated on the basis of number of taxpaying households @ Rs. 1000 for implementation of developmental activities.
“This is the only programme which ensures the participation of women folk in the activities of VDBs by earmarking of 25% of the fund allocated to the village,” the report stated, adding that another 20% of the fund is also earmarked for youth programme in all the villages.
This scheme ensures the active participation of all sections of the rural people in taking up activities that is suitable to their needs, it added.
In addition, a mandatory scheme called VDB Welfare Fund is in place. Under this, funds are deposited @ Rs. 10,000 for villages having 50 households and below and Rs. 200 per household for villages having 51 households and above from the general allocation to mobilize resources for the VDBs to supplement their activity. The deposits are made annually for a period of six years and at maturity the interest accrued will be utilized for the scheme and the seed money is re-invested, creating a continuous cycle of resource to supplement the grants provided by the state.
Under this scheme, income generating programme is being emphasized to be implemented to improve the economy of the rural areas, the report added.
