Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellows Scheme (PMRDFs)

Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellows Scheme (PMRDFs)

The Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellows Scheme (PMRDFs) is an initiative of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India (GoI), implemented in collaboration with State Governments. The focus of the programme is on reduction of poverty and improving the lives of the population in backward and isolated regions of India.

In a bid to catalyse and rewrite this "change" story and trigger actions that would lead to positive outcomes, the MoRD adopted a strategy to provide fresh inputs and ideas to leverage support to the reform process, infuse optimism and instill confidence among key stakeholders, and provide decision-making support to the district leadership. Thus, the PMRDF Scheme came into being.

During the two-years of the fellowship, PMRD Fellows work closely with the District Collector of Additional Central Assistance (ACA)/ Integrated Action Plan (IAP) districts and strive to bridge the gap between people's needs and the system's provisions by reducing developmental and governance deficits. Immediately after successful completion of the two year fellowship, the PMRD Fellow is required to spend one year in public service in the State to which she/he is assigned.

The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), as a knowledge partner of MoRD, facilitates the process of selection, recruitment, training, mentoring and monitoring the work of the Fellows.

Objective

The PMRD Fellowship is anchored in the twin goals of providing short-term catalytic support to the district administration in underdeveloped, isolated and remote areas of the country to improve programme delivery and interface with the marginalized sections of the population, as well as developing a cadre of committed and competent development leaders and facilitators, who are available as a resource for rural development over the long term.

Mission

In pursuance of its objectives, the Fellows engage with many stakeholders such as the government, public sector institutions, and civil society actors in promoting the efficiency of social protection programs. The Fellows also enroll in Masters in Development Practice, offered by the TISS, a mix of e-enabled distance learning and contact sessions during the two years of their fellowship. While the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) enables the Fellows to work on the ground and gain valuable field lessons, the TISS ensures that the Fellows hone and develop a strong theoretical framework both, before and during the Fellowship process. This backing enables them to effectively engage with all the key stakeholders with greater insight and sensitivity.

PMRD Fellows as development facilitators:

• Work with institutions of the poor to build their capacity and help them access their rights and entitlements;
• Facilitate capacity building in Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and in institutions of local democracy, like panchayats;
• Conduct socio-economic analysis of the local areas at Block level and contribute in ascertaining the felt needs of the people;
• Help the district administration in local area planning;
• Assist in better implementation of poverty alleviation programmes, particularly MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, NRLM, NRDWP, IWMP, NSAP, ACA, ICDS, NRHM SSA/RMSA, etc;
• Undertake action-research to discover more appropriate ways of programme delivery by the district administration;
• Design and implement innovative projects;
• Provide feedback on rural development initiatives.

The job requires PMRD Fellows to have a strong commitment to the values of equity and social justice and a passion for making a difference in the lives of the people.

Allocation of Responsibilities

The PMRDF Scheme is executed and supervised by several institutions and organisations. The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India is the administering agency; responsible for personnel related matters of the Fellows and engagement of agencies. The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), the knowledge partner, is responsible for recruitment, orientation, academic programme, on-field mentorship and other support to the Fellows. The Rural Development Department of the State is the nodal agency of their respective State. The District Collectors are responsible for supervising the work of Fellows in the field and on issues concerning their immediate well-being.

source:http://rural.nic.in