Role of rural development schemes in Haryana: An overview

Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic wellbeing of people living in relatively isolated and sparsely areas. According to United Nations, rural development is process of change, by which the efforts of the people are themselves are united, those of government authorities to improve their economic, social and culture conditions of communities in to the life of the nation and to enable them to contribute fully to national programme.

Rural development has been accorded the highest priority in the country's planning process. Rural development can no longer be identified with mere increase in gross national product or even per capita national income. The increased income should be distributed so as to result in significant diminution of inequalities of income and wealth. Integrated rural development means optimum utilisation of natural resources of given rural area for the enrichment of quality of life of its population. Optimum utilisation emphasizes production, distribution, employment, upliftment of rural poor above the poverty line and environmental harmony. The goal of rural development is the enrichment of the quality of human life in rural areas accompanied by bridging the rural urban gap through provision of all amenities. The national policy and programs for successful rural development task should aim at diversification of economise activities minimise the dependence of rural households on agriculture and bringing about a significant increase in there share in both output and employment of allied activities, rural industries, business and service components of rural economy. This paper reviews governments initiatives and schemes such as MGNREGA (2005), SGSY, Panchayati Raj, Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) Haryana rural employment guarantee Scheme(2007) and many others to accelerate the process of rural Development.