Taking into account the limited success of the Centrally-sponsored Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) in addressing urban poverty, the State government will roll out the Tamil Nadu Urban Livelihood Mission in the coming financial year, according to Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam.
Presenting the Budget, he said that the programme would focus on livelihood security for the urban poor by providing skill and employment opportunities, housing and basic amenities, universal access to health and education, social mobilisation and special homes for vulnerable groups such as street children.
It would lay special emphasis on inclusive policies involving women, destitutes and differently abled persons by dovetailing ongoing sectoral programmes. An amount of Rs.200 crore has been provided for the programme.
The government will constitute a State Balanced Growth Fund (SBGF) to drive targeted welfare programmes in backward blocks and correct disparities in key parameters of development. A sum of Rs.100 crore has been allocated for the scheme as an initial measure. Funds available under various sectoral programmes, including Backward Region Grant Fund of the Union government, will be dovetailed for this purpose. It is proposed to identify 100 most backward blocks and backward urban local bodies based on indicators in sectors such as health, education, gender related indicators and other indicators like per capita income, incidence of poverty and unemployment.
The Centrally-sponsored National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), rechristened Aajeevika, will also be launched in Tamil Nadu from 2012-2013 to tackle rural poverty, with an outlay of Rs.350 crore.
Among other measures, Village Administrative Officers are being given laptops and printers at a cost of Rs.22.49 crore and public amenities improved at taluk offices on an allocation of Rs.50 lakh.
Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) and Minimum Needs Programme, the State government will cover 7,000 rural habitations for improving water supply. A total sum of Rs.566.35 crore has been provided in the Budget.
