Rural development programs were implemented in India to reduce disparities between urban and rural areas. As industries developed in cities after independence, rural industries declined and many migrated to cities. To achieve balanced development and alleviate poverty, unemployment, and lack of amenities in rural areas, various rural development plans were launched. Rural development means improving standards of living for rural people through utilizing local resources. It addresses problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and lack of infrastructure. Decentralizing power to local village bodies called Panchayati Raj Institutions has enabled rural people to participate in development activities like building roads, schools, and providing other facilities. Women's self-help groups now play a key role in empowering women and addressing

1. ECONOMICS
CHAPTER 1

2. CONTENTS:
 Why rural development programs are
implemented?
 The meaning and importance of rural
development.
 Rural development and decentralization.
o Panchayat Raj Institutions.
 Rural development and Women.

3. *Why rural development programs
are implemented?
1.The development techniques adopted by Indian government
after independence enabled only urban development.
2.Industries developed in cities and cities expanded. However,
rural industries started getting extinct and rural people
migrated to cities.
3.The job opportunities were mainly available to urban people.
These cities were enjoying ultra-modern lifestyles.
4.Due to this, the gap between urban and rural areas was
increasing gradually.
5. In order to get rid of this situation and to achieve over-all
development it was necessary to develop rural areas first.
Hence various rural development plans were implemented.

5. *Meaning of Rural
Development
 In addition to development of agriculture and related activities,
it encompasses extended development of housing, health,
hygiene, and other social and economic amenities etc.
 It means:- “Rural development is improvement of the
social and economic status of the rural people by proper
utilization of the locally available natural and human
resources.”
 It very ambitiously envisages improving the standard of living
of farmers, agricultural laborers, people belonging to backward
classes etc…

6. *Importance:-
 The problems like poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, ill-health,
lack of basic amenities etc are tackled through rural
development.
 A deplorable lack of basic amenities can be noticed in rural
areas. The rural people should be provided with essential
facilities like electricity, irrigation, transport etc. Small-scale and
cottage industries can be improved, thereby strengthening the
rural economy.
 A system wherein agricultural labourer, poor people, belonging
to backward classes are assured of continued employment
opportunities has to be created in the rural areas.
 The facilities available to people in urban areas should be
available to people in rural areas too. The villagers should be
able to participate in the process of development like urban
people.

7. *De- centralization :-
 “Providing the administrative power, and the
responsibility of developing the village to its own
people is called Decentralisation.”
 Through decentralization self- reliant, self- sufficient and
prosperous villages can be developed. This process was called
‘Grama Swarajya’ by Mahatma Gandhi.
 Decentralisation puts an end to all kinds of exploitation,
upholds human independence and dignity.
 To enable decentralisation the panchayat raj system has been
brought into practice.
 The indian government in 1993 through the 73rd amendment
brought into existence a uniform system of Panchayat Raj
Institutions throughout the country.

9. *Panchayat Raj Institutions:-
 Panchayat raj institutions play a major role in enabling
the rural people to participate in rural development.
They help to provide facilities of roads, drains, water,
street lights, toilets, hospitals...
 Through encouragement of primary and middle
school education, adult education, technical and
vocational- training, panchayat raj instituions have
striven to develop human resources too.
 Thus panachayat raj institutions play and very
important, significant role in the process of rural
development.

11. *Women in Development:-
 From the gram panchayat to the position of a President, they
are handling various responsibilities as political leaders at
various levels of the government.
 Women Self- Help groups have been created in all the villages
in the rural sector. These have been playing a very important
role in organizing poor rural women and making them
financially independent.
 Bad habits like alcoholism, gambling and others are spreading
widely in the rural areas. Social evils like child marriage, dowry,
caste system, superstitions, exploitation of women and children
are still rampant. Through the self help groups alert women are
able to get rid of such evils. They are able to contribute
towards a clean and progressive society.

12. THAN
K YOU