During the Seventh Plan period 18.2 million families were assisted under this step and other wage employment programs generated 3.5 million mandays of employment. There are programs for training of rural youth as well as for the promotion of socio-economic activity among rural women. The Jawahar Rozgar Yojana seeks to ensure 180 man-days employment to at least one member from families below the poverty line. The need to harmonize development with environment is only too clear in today's world. The Government encourages use of pollution abatement techniques, specially in the critically polluted areas.
Environmental considerations weigh heavily in clearing certain projects.
For this purpose, laws have been framed, fiscal incentives given, agreements signed, educational programs introduced and information disseminated through publicity. Environmental management is accepted as a major guiding factor for national development. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is responsible for planning, promoting and coordinating the environmental forestry programs. There is about 30 enactment's relating to environment protection. The strategy for restoring the damage to environment includes not only use of science and new technology, but also active involvement of the people.