National Rural Employment Programme

This is a critical study of the National Rural Employment Programme with regard to the procedure of selecting areas an projects, fixing of targets, physical and financial achievements, nature of the assets created, identification of beneficiaries, change in the rural economy, employment, income, etc. The problems encountered in the implementation of the programme have also been listed. The study was conducted on a systematic sampling basis. With an analysis of the data for the years 1983-84, it has been conclusively brought out that the achievements under the programme have been poor due to non-recognition of local and immediate needs as well as lack of necessary coordination with other developmental programmes and subsequent implementation. The study also suggests that the shelf of the projects was framed with political bias.

The Agro-Economic Research Centre was established at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla in January 1973 by Ministry of Agriculture. Government of India to carry out research and investigation in the Western Himalayan Region. This Centre is the 10th and the ast in a series of such Centres established in the country since 1954. It is one of the most effective field based research organizations which has conducted more than 70 studies on different problems of mountain areas for various agencies including Government of India, H.P. Govt., World Bank, USAID, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), etc. Though its studies and professional service, the Centre has been playing a valuable one in shaping development strategies in mountain areas, particularly in Himachal Pradesh. Its services are regularly sought for evaluation and advisory work by different national and international agencies.