71

DRDA

9. District Rural Development Agency {DRDA)
General Introduction
DRDAs are established for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes in rural areas at the district
level. !t is an institution that acts as a delivery agency to support and facilitate the development process.
The role of the DRDA is to plan for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes; coordinating with
other agencies like Governmental, non-Governmental, technical and financial for successful programme
implementation. They enable the poor rural community to participate in the decision marking process
The primary Objective of DRDA is to
Effectively manage the anti-poverty programmes
Co-ordinate effectively with other agencies and line departments like Panchayati Raj !nstitutions,
Banks and other financial institutions, the NGO's and other technical institutions to gather support
and resources required for poverty elimination at the District level.
Brief History of DRDA
This agency was created originally to implement the !ntegrated Rural Development Programme (!RDP).
Subsequently the DRDAs were entrusted with number of programmes of both state and central
governments
Since its inception the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) has been the principal organ at the
District level to oversee the implementation of different Central Government anti-poverty programmes. !t is
also taking up State Government Programmes.
From 1
st
April, 1999 a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme for strengthening the DRDAs has been introduced.
This scheme, which is funded on a 75:25 basis between Centre and States, aims at strengthening and
professionalizing the DRDAs for effective functioning of the organization.

Organization Description
Staffing Pattern
There is a team of APOs (G.O.Ns.No.719,dated25f05f1996) to assist the PD ,DRDA. Government in
order to have a uniform staffing pattern of APOs in 22 DRDAs, sanctioned 5 posts of APOs., viz. APO
(Accounts), APO (Credit), APO ( N 8 E), APO (Trysam 8ine.) and APO (Women). !n the said G.O.
Government also sanctioned 2 more posts of APOs for each DRDA will be filled by subject matter
specialist like Agriculture f Fisheries f Animal husbandry or Ninor !rrigation as the case may be.
The State Government may modify the structure suitably, but without altering the basic design, to take
care of the needs of individual districts keeping in view their size as well as specificity.
At the district level, under !KP there is a District Project Nanagement Unit (DPNU), headed by a Project
Director, assisted by functional specialists.
The guidelines for convergence are mentioned(refer to G.O.Ns.No.216,PR8RD,dated
07f06f2002,G.O.Ns.No.30+,PR8RD Department,07f08f2002)

72

DRDA

Consequent to the merging of DPNU and DRDA, there is a reorganization of the Staff of DRDA and DPNU
(Nemo.No.6001fRD.!!!f2005, dated19f0+f2005) The Staff positions at the DRDA at the district level are the
following.
Sl.
No.
Staff Positions
at DRDA
Remarks
1. Project Director Each district has its own District Rural Development Agency,
headed by a Project Director who is of the rank of an
Additional District Nagistrate.
The Project Director is a senior scale officer of All !ndia
Services or a senior officer of the State Service, eligible for
appointment to the All !ndia Services.
Hef She is overall in-charge of the activities of the DRDA and
responsible for interaction with the DistrictfState administration
as well as with the Government of !ndia.
The PD is exclusively for DRDA work.
2. Two Subject Specialists
(Could be from
Agriculture,horticulture,animal
husbandry,business,service
sector)
Each district to identify the specialization required as per the
livelihood opportunities in the district. The subject specialists to be
taken from the pool of APOs and DPNs depending on their
expertise, or on contract or on deputation from the Governments
line department
3. One District coordinator
(!nstitutional and Capacity
Building)
To be selected from the pool of APOs or DPNs
+. One District Coordinator
(Nicrofinance, Community
!nvestment Fund)
To be selected from the pool of APOs or DPNs
5. Administrative Officer
6. Finance Nanager
7. Nonitoring and Learning
officer

Field Office {One for a cluster of 5-7 Mandals)
Sl.
No
Positions Capabilities and
Experience
Roles
1. Area Coordinator (AC)
(To be selected from APOs
(DRDA), DPNs (SERP)
o To work with the CBOs
o Ability to nurture the
HGs, vOs, NSs
o Ability to guide and
mentor CCs, NBKs,
NTCs, etc
o Take decisions relating to the
project implementation as per
AWFP in the 5-7 Nandals
covered by the Office
2. Nicro Finance (NF)
Coordinator
(To be selected from APNs,
EO(DWCRA)
o Experience in Nicro
finance and Auditing
o Support the AC on all the NF
related activities
o Preparation of micro plan, SHG-
bank Linkages
3. Livelihood Coordinator
(To be selected from Las or
EO(DWCRA)
o To have expertise in
implementing C!F
component of the
project
o To have Knowledge in
promoting the
livelihoods of the poor
o !mplement C!F component
o Promote programmes related to
the livelihood of the poor


73

DRDA
Each DRDA has the following wings:
Self - employment Wing
!s headed by a Project Officer and has APOs in the field of Planning, Social mobilization, Credit and
Technology.
The Project Officer is specifically responsible for any of the above four functions. The APO (Planning)
looks after the activity clusters, districtfblock, village group plan, guiding the BDOs and others in plan
preparation, planning for infrastructure including marketing infrastructure. He coordinates with the
district officers, the banks as well as other institutions in the district.
The APO (Social Nobilization) looks after group formation, capacity building, monitoring of groups,
choice of activities for groups, release of revolving funds and coordination.
The APO (Credit), who is from the commercial banking sector, coordinates with the banks in all
matters relating to credit, including the interface between the bankers and the beneficiariesf
beneficiary groups, loan disbursements as well as loan recovery.
The APO (Technology) looks after issues concerning technology up gradation as well as transfer of
technology.
The DRDAs to take up projects under the Self-employment programmes. For successful implementation
of such projects, the DRDAs can take outside expert on a consultancy basis on the guidelines framed by
Secretary, Rural Development for selection of consultants so as to avoid any wrong use of such
provisions and to see that only those who have a proven practical expertise are engaged. Such experts to
be engaged on project specific basis will function under the overall control and supervision of the Project
Officer, self-employment program
Women's wing
!n order to ensure that women receive adequate attention in all the anti- poverty programmes, a
Women's Cell is set up in each DRDA.
This cell establishes necessary synergy with departments such as Women 8 Child Development,
Education and health Departments to ensure that women not only receive their due share in the anti-
poverty programmes but are also able to receive benefits of other programmes.
The Women's wing is headed by an Assistant Project Officer, who will function under the overall co-
ordination of the Project Officer of the self-employment wing.
Wage employment wing
The central concern of the DRDA in the wage-employment programmes is related to planning,
monitoring and vigilance by a technical wing.
The DRDA does not concern itself with the actual implementation and execution of works which is
done by the line department f engineers or the Panchayati Raj !nstitutions.
The wage employment wings is headed by a Project officer assisted by a small complement of staff.
Accounts wing
The DRDAs have commercial accounting systems.
They are to publish an annual report along with the balance sheet.
The accounts wing is headed by a Sr. Accounts Officer, either on deputation or by engaging the
services of a chartered accountant, who is supported by an Accounts Officer each for self-
employment programmes and wage employment programmes duly assisted by accountants.
Wherever the Watershed programmes (!WDPfDPAPfDDP) are under implementation, an additional
post of Accounts Officer may be sanctioned.
For !ndira Awaas Yojana, one Accountant at the district level should be available to monitor the
progress of the programme and the accounts.
One of the Accounts Officers performs the role of internal auditor



7+

DRDA

Monitoring and Evaluation wing
This is a separate Nonitoring and Evaluation wing headed by a Project Economist and
functioning directly under the supervision of the Project Director.
!t monitors the progress of all the programmes
!t carries out evaluation fimpact studies regularly by independent institutions fexperts including
NGOs.
The cost of such studies is met from the respective programme funds.
This wing also monitors issues regarding to poverty in the district.
Governing body
The composition of the governing body shall be as follows.
Sl. No List of Governing Body
1. Chairman of Zilla Parishad Chairman
2. All NPs and NLAs and NLCs of the District
3. 1f3
rd
of Panchayat Samiti Chairpersons to be nominated by rotation in alphabetical order for a
tenure of one year, one of whom must belong to SCfST and another a woman
+. CEO of Zilla Parishad f District Collector - Chief Executive Officer f Executive Director
5. Head of the Central Cooperative Bank of the District
6. Chairman Regional Rural Bank
7. District Lead Bank Officer
8. Representative of the Reserve Bank of !ndia at district level
9. NABARD representative at district level
10. General Nanager, D!C
11. Representative of Kv!B
12. District Officer in charge of Scheduled Caste f Scheduled Tribe Welfare
13. District women 8 Child welfare officer
1+. District officer dealing with welfare of the disabled
15. One representative from technical institutions
16. Two representatives of NGOs
17. Two representatives of the weaker sections, one of whom may be drawn from SCs and STs
18. One representative of rural women
19. Project Director, DRDA - Nember Secretary


75

DRDA

Executive Committee {EC)

All executive and financial powers of the DRDA shall be exercised by the executive committee as
per the scheme of delegation of financial and executive powers to be determined by each StatefUT
Government and this Committee will be fully accountable in all matters of DRDA to the governing
body as well as to the Government. The Executive Committee of DRDA shall be headed by the
Chief Executive Officer f Executive Director and shall consist of all the District level officers and any
other officer deemed necessary for planning and implementation of the anti-poverty programmes.
The Project Director DRDA will be the Nember-Secretary of the EC.
The Executive Committee will meet at least once in a month.

Roles and Responsibilities
!f effective programme design is critical to successful implementation of rural development programmes, so
is an effective delivery agency. The DRDA is a supporting and facilitation organization and needs to play a
very effective role as a catalyst in the development process.
The district Rural Development Agency is seen as a specialized and a professional agency capable of
managing the anti-poverty programmes of the Ninistry of Rural Development on the one hand and to
effectively relate these to the overall effort of poverty eradication in the District.








Preparation of Annual Works and Financial Plans {refer to Nemo.No.651+fRD!!!fA2f2005-1)
The Project Director has to prepare the AWFP (Annual Works and Financial Plans) and assist the
DPNs, APNs, NTCs, NBKs to prepare the Annual Plans relating to their functional areasfgeographical
areas. The mentioned functionaries would draw the Annual Plans from the District Annual Works and
Financial Plans.
Each functionary should give facilitation plan, clearly detailing schedule of village visits, night halts in
the villages, facilitation to the SHG s, meetings, village organization meetings and Samakhya meetings.
The facilitation plan should also reflect other activities relating to capacity building, implementation of
C!F monitoring of C!F activity and support to programmes such as CLDP. The Project Directors, DRDAs
obtain the Annual plans and month wise facilitation plans, from all the functionaries
The Project Directors shall submit a quarterly report directly to Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty
(SERP) on the performance of the DPN s and APN s with reference to their Annual plans and
Facilitation plans. The State Project Nanager (HRN) of SERP files all such reports, which is taken into
consideration while renewing their contract.
As far as the Annual Plans and Facilitation Plans relating to CCs, NTCs and NBKs are concerned, the
Project Directors are to build the capacity of Samakhyas so as to enable them to take review
performance of the CCs, NTCs and NBKs with reference to their AWFP.
Implementation
!t promotes transparency in the implementation of different anti-poverty programmes.
To ensure that the benefits specifically earmarked for certain target groups (SCfST, women and
disabled) reach them. They shall take all necessary steps to achieve the prescribed norms.
To improve the awareness regarding rural development and poverty alleviation particularly among the
rural poor. This would involve issues of poverty, the opportunities available to the rural poor and
generally infusing a sense of confidence in their ability to overcome poverty


76

DRDA















Capacity Building
To watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.
To develop an understanding of the processes necessary for poverty alleviationferadication.
To develop the capacity to build synergies among different agencies involved for effective results. !t
needs to build up distinctive capabilities rather.
The role of the DRDA will is distinct from all the other agencies, including the Zilla Parishad.
The DRDAs will maintain their separate identity but will function under the chairmanship of the
Chairman of Zilla Parishad. They are expected to be a facilitating and supporting organization to Zilla
Parishad, providing necessary executive and technical support in respect of poverty reduction efforts.

Co-ordination (refer to G.O.Rt.No.+78 Dated: 17.7.2003)
DRDAs must be professional and should be able to interact effectively with various other agencies.
They coordinate with the line department, the Panchayati Raj !nstitutions, the banks and other
financial institutions to gather resources required for poverty reduction effort in the district.
They establish inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for reducing
poverty in the district.
To facilitate in the formation of the Community Based Organizations (SHGfvOfNS)
To facilitate effectively the identification of the beneficiaries towards availing a particular benefit.
Monitoring
The DRDAs monitors closely the implementation through obtaining periodic reports as well as making
frequent field visits.
The purpose of the visit is to facilitate the implementing agencies in improving implementation
process, besides ensuring that the quality of implementation of programmes is high.
This would include overseeing whether the intended beneficiaries are receiving the benefits under the
different programmes.
Reporting (refer to Nemo. No. 5989fRDfA2f2005,dated19f0+f2005)
The DRDAs shall keep the Zilla Parishad, the State and Central Government duly informed of the
progress of the implementation of the programmes through periodic reports
The Project Directors, DRDA have to place their Annual Action Plan in the governing Body of DRDA
and secure the approval.
The DRDA Governing Body meetings shall be held once in a quarter without fail.
Sanction proceedings covering C!F and other components of !KP, SGSY and Spl, SGSY etc. should be
marketed to NPs, NLA s, Chairman - Zilla Parishad meetings, Nandal Parishads and ZPTCs.
The progress of the activities of DRDA should be reported in the Zilla Parishad meetings, Nandal
Parishad meetings and DDRC meetings at least once in a quarter.
All the District level newsletters etc should be invariably sent to all the people's representatives.
Special report, as and when called for, shall be provided.

77

DRDA




Transfer of Fund
The DRDAs shall ensure financial discipline in respect of the funds received by them, whether from
Central or State Governments
All funds are transferred for all the schemes in a District through DRDA
They shall also ensure that the accounts are properly maintained in respect of the funds being
allocated to the banks or the implementing agencies.
Other functions
!n addition the DRDAs shall coordinate and oversee the conduct of the BPL Census and such other
surveys that are required from time to time.
The DRDAs shall also carry out or aid in carrying out action researchf or evaluation studies that are
initiated by the CentralfState Governments.
The DRDAs deals with the anti-poverty programmes of the Ninistry of Rural Development.
!f DRDAs are to be entrusted with programmes of other ministries or those of the State Governments,
it should be ensured that these have a definite antipoverty focus.
Entrusting of any programme to the DRDAs, other than anti-poverty programmes of the Ninistry, be it
of any other Ninistry of Government of !ndia or the respective State Government will have to be done
with the approval of the Secretary, Rural Development of the respective State (s), who should
examine such request in consultation with the Ninistry of Rural Development, Government of !ndia. !n
such cases, it must be ensured that adequate provision is made for requisite staffing needed for
proper implementation of the programme.

78

DRDA

List of Annexure

1. Government Orders


Annexure 1: Lists of G.Os, Memos

Sl.
No
.
Order J Memo
No.
Date of
Issue
Subject Detail
1. G.O. Ns. No.70 16-03-2005 Regularization of the Services of Extension Officers
(DWCRA), holding temporary posts earlier, in Districts
(Srikakulam, Cuddapah, Ananthapur, Nahaboobnagar,
Adilabad)
2. G.O. Ns. No.110 08-0+-2005 Reconstitution of the District Level Governing Bodies of
DRDA's for implementing RD programs
3. Nemo. No.
6001fRD!!!f2005
19-0+-2005 Reorganization of staff of DRDA and SERP at the District
and sub- district level for optimum utilization of the staff
+. Nemo. No.
5989fRD!fA2f2005
19-0+-2005 Appraisal of the People's Representatives program under
DRDA
Conduction of meetings monthly once,
Presentation of Annual Action Plans,
Progress of activities of DRDA to be reported in the Zilla
Parishad meetings , Nandal Parishad meetings and DDRC
meetings once in a quarter
5. Nemo. No.
651+fRD!!!fA2f2005
09-05-2005 Preparation of Annual Works and Financial Plans and
preparation of Annual Plans as well as facilitation plans by
the functionaries related to their functional areasf
geographical areas
6. 25f05f2005 Budget Release Order For Rs. 5,557 Lakhs to CRD
7. G.O. Ns. No.185 26-05-2005 Administration Sanction and release of an amount of Rs.
5.557 Lakhs to CRD to meet the expenditure towards
backlog State Natching Share for 2002-03 under DRDA
administration of the Nalgonda District for the current FY
2005-06
8. G.O. Ns. No. 303 27-08-2005 Administrative Sanction for an amount of Rs.1,60,56,000
towards State Natching Share to meet the amount of
DRDA Administration during the FY 2005-06
9. G.O. Rt. No.1055 20-06-2005 DRDA not to be referred as DRDA-!KP
10. G.O Ns. No. 202 06-06-2005 Orientation Training Program to the newly appointed
officers (PD's of DRDA's 8 DWNA'sfDDP) by APARD
11. G.O. Rt. No 1966 2+-05-2005 Budget Estimates 2005 0 2006 - Budget release order of
Rs. 5,55,700 towards DRDA






*********