With an objective of promoting innovations in rural development to transform the lives of poor countrymen, rural development minister Nitin Gadkari, has planned to open a bank of ideas and innovations. Gadkari, known as minister with out-of-box acumen in the prime minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet, has invited ideas from across the country to provide sustainable and scalable rural livelihood solutions.
Stressing on innovations, an official note said, ‘Innovation is the driver of growth and is a key source of competitive advantage. It’s a multiplier of economic activity, employment and development’, adding that the importance of innovation cannot be over-emphasized in the context of the development challenge faced in rural areas, where widespread poverty, infrastructural limitations and complex socio-cultural issues pose formidable challenges.
The ministry has identified eight thematic areas in Bihar under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and seven thematic areas in Maharashtra Livelihood Innovation Forum 2013, the note said. Some of main areas in which innovative ideas have been sought are agriculture, livestock, financial services, rural energy, social inclusion, media and communications, public sector innovations and social entrepreneurship.
The innovators will be classified into three categories (scalable solutions, social enterprises, grassroot innovators) to develop tools and support targeted for particular category.
Gadkari, who is heading six ministries, is known for innovative works. The parliamentarian from Nagpur is looking after ministries of road transport and highways, shipping, rural development, panchayati raj, drinking water and sanitation. Within a span of just 60 days of NDA government at the centre, Gadkari has hit the headlines for several good reasons. The union minister has pushed for relaxation in norms for land acquisitions. Gadkari had said, ‘We are under pressure from state governments to bring in necessary modifications and changes in the legislation since acquiring land for public projects are becoming cumbersome for industry, which from day one had strongly opposed it.’
Gadkari’s stint as public works minister of Maharashtra (1995-99) made him world-famous thanks to his resoluteness in swiftly completing mega projects like the Mumbai-Pune Expressway or the network of 55 flyovers in Mumbai at costs way below the estimated expenditure. He played a key role in shaping the PM’s Gram Sadak Yojana. During NDA rule, Central PWD was revamped on his suggestion. Gadkari transformed Nagpur, making it one of the most beautiful cities. His lasting contribution is his work for uplifting the poor and the deprived.