Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
‘Vision 2020’, a document prepared by the Ministry of Rural Development in 2011, aimed to outline a roadmap for transforming rural India. It envisioned a future where rural areas are not merely providers of raw materials and labor but are vibrant, self-sustaining economic and social entities. A central component of this vision was the creation of ‘viable village complexes’ – clusters of villages designed to achieve holistic and inclusive rural development. These complexes were intended to be the building blocks of a new rural India, fostering economic growth, social equity, and improved quality of life for all rural citizens. The document sought to move beyond sectoral approaches to rural development and adopt a more integrated and holistic strategy.
Objectives of Vision 2020 for Viable Village Complexes
Vision 2020 outlined several key objectives for the creation of viable village complexes, aiming to achieve inclusive rural development. These objectives can be categorized into economic, social, and infrastructural aspects.
1. Economic Objectives
- Enhancing Agricultural Productivity: The vision emphasized the need to increase agricultural productivity through improved irrigation facilities, adoption of modern farming techniques, and access to quality seeds and fertilizers. This included promoting diversification towards high-value crops.
- Promoting Rural Entrepreneurship: Vision 2020 advocated for fostering rural entrepreneurship by providing access to credit, skill development training, and marketing support. The focus was on creating self-employment opportunities and reducing dependence on agriculture.
- Developing Rural Industries: The document highlighted the importance of developing rural industries, particularly agro-processing and food processing industries, to add value to agricultural produce and create employment opportunities.
- Strengthening Rural Financial Institutions: Improving access to financial services, including banking and microfinance, was considered crucial for supporting rural economic activities.
2. Social Objectives
- Improving Access to Education: Ensuring universal access to quality education at all levels, from primary to higher education, was a key objective. This included improving school infrastructure, teacher training, and curriculum development.
- Enhancing Healthcare Facilities: Strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure, increasing the availability of doctors and nurses, and improving access to affordable healthcare services were prioritized.
- Promoting Social Inclusion: Vision 2020 emphasized the need to address social inequalities and promote the inclusion of marginalized groups, including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and minorities.
- Empowering Women: Promoting women’s empowerment through education, economic opportunities, and political participation was considered essential for inclusive rural development.
3. Infrastructural Objectives
- Improving Rural Connectivity: Enhancing rural connectivity through the development of roads, railways, and communication networks was considered crucial for facilitating economic activities and access to services. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was a key component of this.
- Providing Safe Drinking Water: Ensuring access to safe drinking water for all rural households was a priority. This involved the construction of water supply schemes and the promotion of rainwater harvesting.
- Ensuring Sanitation Facilities: Improving sanitation facilities in rural areas through the construction of toilets and the promotion of hygiene practices was considered essential for public health. The Swachh Bharat Mission played a significant role here.
- Providing Access to Electricity: Extending electricity access to all rural households was a key objective. The Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) aimed to achieve this.
These objectives were to be achieved through a cluster approach, where villages were grouped into complexes based on geographical proximity and socio-economic similarities. The idea was to leverage economies of scale and promote collective action for sustainable development.
| Objective Category | Key Focus Areas | Relevant Schemes (as of 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Economic | Agricultural Productivity, Rural Entrepreneurship, Rural Industries | PM-KISAN, NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission), MGNREGA |
| Social | Education, Healthcare, Social Inclusion, Women Empowerment | Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, National Health Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao |
| Infrastructural | Connectivity, Water Supply, Sanitation, Electricity | PMGSY, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin), DDUGJY |
Conclusion
Vision 2020’s objectives for creating viable village complexes were ambitious and aimed at fundamentally transforming rural India. While the vision itself faced challenges in full implementation, its core principles of integrated development, social inclusion, and infrastructure development remain relevant today. The success of current rural development programs, such as those listed above, hinges on adopting a similar holistic and cluster-based approach to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in rural areas. Continued investment in these areas, coupled with effective monitoring and evaluation, is crucial for realizing the vision of a prosperous and equitable rural India.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.