Sardar Sarovar Project is on river Narmada which is the largest west flowing river in India and the fifth largest of the country. It rises near Amarkantk range of mountains in the far eastern part of Madhya Pradesh, near the border of Uttar Pradesh. Traversing 1312 km through MP Maharashtra and Gujarat, it meets with the sea in the Gulf of Cambay.

It was the late Sardar Vallabhabhai Patel who conceived the idea of constructing a dam over the river Narmada in 1946-47 for the optimum use of Narmada waters for the welfare of the Nation.

HIGHLIGHTS

• SSP is terminal dam on Narmada River system.
• Envisioned by Late Sardar Patel, The Iron Man, and maker of modern India in 1946, but taken up for implementation in 1980s based on Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal.
• It is an interstate project of four states - Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujrat and Rajasthan.
• It would be one of the largest water resources project of India.
• Dam's spillway discharging capacity (30.7 lakhs cusecs) would be third highest in the world.
• With 1133 cumecs (40000 cusecs) capacity at the head regulator, and 532 km. length, the Narmada Main Canal would be the largest irrigation canal in the world.
• The project will generate between 856 to 1007 million units per year of cheap and Eco-friendly, indigenous hydropower.
• Project would meet the drinking water needs of 8215 villages and 135 urban centers.
• Benefits to three sanctuaries.
• SSP has the lowest ratio of submergence to area irrigated (1.65%).
• No of families affected is lowest vis a vis water storage.
• Land based and community group based resettlement program has been adopted.
• An amount of more than 8000 crores have already been invested.

The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana seek to provide gainful employment to the urban unemployed or under employed poor through encouraging the setting up to self employment. This Yojana shall be funded on 75:25 basis between the centre and the states. This Yojana consist of two special schemes, namely -

· The urban self employment Programme (USEP)
· The urban wage employment Programme (UWEP)

This Yojana rests on a foundation of community empowerment, rather than relying on the traditional method of top down implementation. This programme shall reply on establishing and promoting Community organistions and structures to provide supporting and facilitating mechanisms for local development.

Components of the Yojana

• Self-employment through setting up Micro-enterprises and skill development.
• Development women and children in Urban areas (DWCUA)
• Neighborhood groups (NHGS) and Neighborhood Committees (NHC)
• Training to individuals/ groups.
• Community Development societies (CDS)
• Infrastructural Amenities.
• Urban Employment.

Government of India has launched a new initiative under Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojna (RSVY). The primary object of RSVY is to address the problem of the high poverty, low growth & poor governance by putting in place programs and policies with the join reports of the centre & states which would remove barriers to growth accelerate development process and improve quality of life of the people & also help to reduce imbalances.

Under this programme three districts of Nashik region i.e. Dhule, Nandurbar & Ahmadnagar are selected. The district has prepared three year's master Plan in which the problems of low agricultural productivity, unemployment & critical gap of physical & social infrastructure. For this Rs. 15 crore would be available annually for 3 years.

The empowered committee on the RSVY held on 22.03.2005 under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Planning Commission has approved a three-year Master Plan with few suggestions.

The amount of Rs. 7.50 crore is received to each district as a first half installment of the current year.

This scheme benefits beneficiaries of Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana, who are at least 65 years of age.Under this scheme beneficiaries get total amount of Rs. 250.Physically handicapped persons also get the same kind of financial assistance.

Eligibility:

Age: 65 years min
2.Should be Helpless
3.No source of income
4.Should not be owner of Real Estate

Certificates required:

1.Age Certificates
2.Income certificate issued by Talathi
3.Certificate of Tahasildar or Talathi of being Helpless.

This scheme is limited to rural areas. Under this scheme, the landless farm-labours are given Rs.250 per month for two months. Beneficiaries of the National old-age Pension scheme are eligible to apply for this scheme.

The amount is distributed four times a year that is of three months at a time on 15th May, 15th August, 15th November, and 15th February.

Eligibility:

1. Age- For male applicants 65 years and for Female applicants 60 years.
2. Beneficiary should be resident of Rural area.
3. Should be landless.
4. Should be Helpless.
5. If beneficiary has son, he should NOT be able to look after the beneficiary.

Certificates Required:

1. Certificate of Age.
2. Certificate of Talathi showing the beneficiary is landless.
3. 3 Passport size photographs.

This scheme benefits the unemployed. Long term loans of Rs.2500 are sanctioned which are to be returned in 8 installments within two years.

Eligibility:

1. Resident of Maharashtra for 15 years.
2. Unemployed should have completed 18 years of age.

Certificates required:

2. Certificate showing 15 years residence in Maharashtra.
2. Caste Certificate (if belongs to Backward Class).
3. Age Certificate.
4. 2 Passport size photographs.
5. Recommendation by local M.P./M.L.A., Z.P. officials, members, Nagar Palika officials or members confirming applicants residence

It is beneficial to people, which are helpless, old, mentally retarded, physically handicapped or unable to earn. This scheme also benefits widows having children.

Benefits of this scheme

i) should be resident of Maharashtra
ii) should have no income source
iii) should NOT be a Land owner
iv) should not be beggar.