Itanagar: Tata Trusts has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) to work towards sustainable development and improvement of the overall quality of life. Tata Trusts’ associate organisation, the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA) will implement this programme, which will benefit 6,000 households located in Papum Pare and Lower Subansiri districts.
NEIDA, in co-ordination with the GoAP, collaborates to reduce poverty for low income rural households in the state. The MoU, signed by Ramesh Negi, Chief Secretary, Government of Arunachal Pradesh (GoAP) and Burzis S. Taraporevala, Tata Trusts, is effective for a period of five years. While the total outlay of the programme is Rs. 14 crore, Tata Trusts will contribute grants totaling to Rs. 6 crore. The remaining funds will be raised from various sources, including the community in the district.
Tata Trusts will focus on reducing poverty for low income rural households in the state through: (a) enhancing pig rearing management practices; (b) increasing the productivity of rice, maize and horticulture crop (orange) through adoption of improved cultivation practices and scientific management of orange orchards; and (c) enhancing forest-based livelihoods and conservation initiatives, thereby enabling each household to earn an income of Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum. Other pilot projects that are in the pipeline will focus on education, drinking water & sanitation to improve the overall quality of life of the households in Arunachal Pradesh. BS Taraporevala, Secretary and Chief Accountant, Tata Trusts said, “The Trusts have invested an amount of Rs. 1.43 crore in the state till March 2015 in the sectors of agriculture, natural resource management, etc. There is a demand for such development initiatives and the community is keen on contributing and taking ownership of the project for their betterment. ”
Tata Trusts will design the implementation strategy and ensure overall governance of the initiative, including financial due diligence. The GoAP will synchronize actions of concerned Government departments and agencies for successful execution of project objectives. GoAP is expected to co-finance the programme through its schemes such as NRLM, MGNREGA and key development projects.
R Negi, Chief Secretary, GoAP, said, “A State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) would be constituted to review the progress of the programme and provide direction for future course of action. Tata Trusts and SLSC will jointly review the progress and shall meet on an annual basis under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, GoAP. District Level Coordination Committees comprising representatives from the GoAP, Tata Trusts and NEIDA, will also be formed to monitor the developments. These committees will be under the Chairmanship of the concerned Deputy Commissioner.”
