paper tries to describe the approach for planning and development of rural settlements in India

1. Suggested Methodology for Planning and Development of Villages
J.K.Gupta
Village planning and development is suggested to be carried out as per
methodology defined below:
 Exploratory meeting to be held with Sarpanch/Panchayat for briefing
about the project , aim & objectives, scope, value addition to the village,
planning & development, process and methodology to be followed for
implementation and consent for going ahead with the project.
 Formalmeeting with Panchayat and approvalof the project.
 Calling meeting of the Gram Sabha involving all residents for explaining
the project, its benefits, role of residents, understanding the problems,
needs and priorities ,their vision, participatory mechanism, suggestions
and obtaining approvalof the residents for going ahead with project.
 Creating a Think Tank comprising of elders, villagers, NGO with active
assistanceof Panchayatfor assisting in project formulation and
implementation.
 Carrying out a socio-economic survey and asking for priorities of
development/infrastructure in the village.
 Creating an physical map of the village involving technical group , Think
Tank and Village Panchayat, defining the location/conditions of houses,
community buildings, public buildings, water bodies , open spaces,
services including water supply, sewerage, roads, storm/wastewater
drainage, street lights etc.
 Preparing inventory of problems, deficiency in infrastructure, amenities,
additional facilities needed etc
 Preparing DraftMaster/Development Plan of the Village based on study
made and analysis carried out, vision and priorities defined , problems
identified, needs and requirements of the village projected in terms of
development / amenities / services quantified and rough costof
development.
 Sharing the DraftMaster/Development Plan of the village with Think
Tank and Panchayatfor approvalin principal for placing before the Gram
Sabha.

2.  Presentation of the scope ,salient features, development works to be
undertaken, prioritization ,cost of development, funding of the project,
sharing the cost, involvement of the residents etc to the Gram Sabha of
the for observations/suggestions/approval.
 Implementation of the Development Plan based on the priorities
finalized with the active involvement of all the stakeholders, Gram
Sabha, NGOs and Think Tank.
 Creating a appropriatemechanism for checks and balances and
ensuring quality of development and maintenance of assets created by
active community participation
 Work done should compriseof any / all of the following depending on
the existing status of development and existing deficiencies and future
needs of the village:
*Water Supply
*Sewerage
*Paving of streets
*Drainage
* Street Lighting
*Provision of toilets in houses/community latrines
*Development of Water Bodies
*Landscaping of open spaces
*Plantation of Trees
*Construction of PanchayatGhar/Community Centre
*Providing dispensary for Human beings and animals
*School &Library
*Vocational Centre/ Anganwari/adult education centre
*KrishiVigyan Kendra for sale of essential agriculturalinputs, seeds,
latest information about prices of agricultural produce, new options for
diversification, weather forecastand innovations in agriculture,
* Co-operativeBank & E-Samparak Kendra
Village development Plan shall essentially be taken up as a jointventure
of all the stakeholders involving residents, Panchayat, Think Tank, NGOs,
state/ local ruraldevelopment agencies, Panchayatofficials ,corporate
agencies etc both in terms of formulation and implementation of the
Master Plan which is reviewed periodically. Funding of development

3. works shallbe through grant-in-aid by state, funds made available by
Panchayat, funds available under different state/ local level rural
development schemes, contribution by villagers , donations from
individuals, funds made available by international agencies , corporate
sector under CorporateSocial responsibility scheme etc.