There is perhaps no other single programme introduced in India with a view to uplifting the poorest among the poor as has been the Integrated Rural Development Programme launched in 1976. The studies conducted by independent institutions and individuals have questioned the quantitative achievement of the targets. This book evaluates the working of Integrated Rural Development Programme at the national and regional level. The causes which constrain the working of IRDP in rural areas have been investigated and the impact of IRDP assistance on income generation capacity of the beneficiary households and their ability to cross the poverty line highlighted in the book. Different studies conducted at the national and regional levels have also been reviewed.

This book will prove informative and useful to the planners and policy makers in the government and the academics in general.

Rural Development occupies a dominating position in the planning and policy formulation of under developed and developing nations. It is because the majority of population of such countries belongs to rural area and depends on primary sector for their livelihood. The sheer largeness of the masses living in rural areas in destitute and unhygienic conditions has attracted the attention of people from all walks of life. India being a developing nation, had to take various steps for rural development since independence. Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) is the most significant programme launched by Government of India in 1978-79 in 2300 selected Blocks and was extended to all the remaining Blocks w.e.f October 2, 1980. The outlay of the resources invested and the publicity given to it was so high that the researchers could not remain all of from it. Hence various studies have been conducted both at individual and institutional levels.

The present study is an attempt in this direction to enrich and complete the chain of knowledge. This book based on the findings of an in depth research, comprises comprehensive knowledge about various programmes of rural development launched in India since Independence with specific thrust on IRDP, detailed Profile of the State of Haryana, Administrative setup of Rural Development at various levels, Process of Implementation of IRDP, its Performance, Perception of Officials and Beneficiaries with valuable findings and suggestions. No doubt, it will provide valuable information to teachers, research scholars, students and officials concerned (directly or indirectly) with the subject of rural development.

India is primarily a rural country with a large number of villages still suffering from the pangs of poverty, illiteracy, diseases and unemployment. Despite framing and implementation of a number of rural development programmes such as Community Development Programme, IRDP, Jawahar Rozgaar Yojna, Indira Awas Yojna and many other such development programmes from time to time, problems of deprivation and destitution, illiteracy, unemployment and diseases could not improve. In fact, the causes of failure of these programmes are many, which need immediate rectification.

The book is an analytical study of those programmes in different aspects and different areas.

Poverty alleviation has become one of the greatest challenges of the modern societies. In this connection it must be noted that a development strategy linked to economic growth will not, by itself, solve the problems of poverty or improve the condition of the poorest segments of the population. The search of alternative strategies has now become intense in India. Remarkably the majority of the poor live in rural areas, therefore, attempts are being made to identify the target groups and provide assistance to them. Despite launching and implementing many programmes it was realised that these programmes did not make any headway on alleviating poverty of the rural poor. Unemployment and inequalities in wealth and income distribution have been continuously increasing. As such unless a direct attack on poverty is not launched, the development efforts would prove of little help. This book analyses all poverty alleviation measures taken so far in pros and cons.