Lok Sabha Question No. 3256 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-15
Subject: Use of SECC Data for Rural Development Programmes
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA, SHOBHA KARANDLAJE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3256

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2018

## USE OF SECC DATA FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

## 3256.   SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

## KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  total  expenditure  incurred  on  conducting  Socio-Economic  and  Caste  Census (SECC), 2011;
- (b) whether his Ministry has suggested the use of SECC data for all schemes including the National Food Security Act and health programmes, etc.;
- (c) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  use  the  SECC  data  to  identify  individual beneficiaries  for  all  its  schemes  to  ensure  that  benefits  meant  for  the  deprived population reach the right people and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the recommendations of a committee formed to study the validity and efficiency of the SECC data in identifying the poor;
- (e) whether many States have also expressed interest in using the SECC data to identify the actually deprived people for the effective implementation of the schemes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the steps taken by his Ministry to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the people in rural areas through employment generation and strengthening of livelihood opportunities, promoting self employment, skilling of rural youths etc.?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

- (a) : The total  cost  of  the  project  as  revised  and  approved  by  the  Government  is Rs.4893.60 crore.

(b) & (c) :   The Ministry of Rural Development conducted a combined Socio Economic and Caste  Census  2011  (SECC  -  2011)  to  generate  a  large  number  of  socio  and  economic indicators for ranking of households across the country for both rural and urban areas. SECC 2011 provides data on households regarding various aspects of their socio-economic status housing,  land-holding/landlessness,  educational  status,  status  of  women,  differently  abled, occupation,  possession  of  assets,  SC/ST  households,  incomes,  etc.  SECC  2011  data  have captured respondent based disclosures on socio economic status of 17.97 crore rural households which has allowed automatic exclusion of 07.07 crore  (39.34 %) households as not poor on the basis of 13 parameters, automatic inclusion of 0.16 crore (0.89%) households as poorest of the poor on the basis of 5 parameters and grading of deprivation of 8.70 crore (48.41%) households on the basis of seven parameters. SECC-2011(Rural) allows ranking of households  based  on  their  socio-economic  status.  With  the  use  of  SECC  data,  programme specific customized priority list is being generated to suit programme objective and budget space.  SECC-2011  data  are  being  used  in  the  programmes,  including,  in  Pradhan  Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission  (DAY-NRLM) and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas.

(d): Expert Group constituted by the Ministry to study the objective criteria for allocation of  resources  to  States  and  identification  and  prioritization  of  beneficiaries  under  various programme using Socio-Economic and Caste Census 2011 (SECC - 2011) data has submitted its  report.    The  Expert  Group  on  SECC  -  Rural,  inter  alia,  has  made  following  major recommendations:-

- (i) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) needs to be more focused towards the regions where there is more concentration of landless labourers or people suffering from multi-dimensionality of deprivations.
- (ii) SECC data should  be  used  in  the  identification  of  beneficiaries  under  Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM).

(iii) The selection of beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) be made using SECC data.

(iv) The  amount  of  assistance  under  National  Social  Assistance  Programme (NSAP) needs to be increased annually based on increase in Consumer Price Index.

(v) Pension for widows in the age group of 18-39 years needs to be instituted.  At present Widow Pension is provided only to the widows of age 40 years and above.

(vi) The  Group  also  recommended  that  assistance  to  parents  of  young  disabled children upto 18 years of age for their education and skill development.

(vii) SECC needs to be updated regularly.

(e): Programmes/Schemes using SECC data as mentioned are being implemented through and by States Governments/Union Territory Administrations.

(f): The Department of Rural Development, inter alia, is implementing Mahatma Gandhi National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act,  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana-National  Rural Livelihood  Mission,  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyay-Gramin  Kaushalya  Yojana,  Pradhan  Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and National Social Assistance Programme to bring about overall improvement in the quality of life of the people in rural areas through employment generation, skilling of youths, provision of social Assistance and other basic amenities.

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