Objectives of Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)

The Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was launched in India in 1978 with the aim of improving the socio-economic conditions of rural people and reducing poverty in rural areas. The programme had multiple objectives, which can be summarized as follows:

Poverty Alleviation:
- The primary objective of the IRDP was to alleviate poverty in rural areas by providing income-generating assets to the rural poor.
- It aimed to provide productive employment opportunities to the rural poor, particularly landless and marginal farmers, agricultural laborers, and rural artisans.

Social Justice:
- The programme aimed to promote social justice by ensuring equitable distribution of resources and opportunities in rural areas.
- It sought to address the socio-economic disparities and inequalities prevalent in rural society by targeting the most disadvantaged sections and empowering them through various interventions.

Self-employment and Entrepreneurship Development:
- IRDP aimed to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship among the rural poor by providing them with financial assistance and necessary skills.
- It aimed to create a culture of entrepreneurship in rural areas, enabling the rural poor to start their own small-scale enterprises and generate sustainable income.

Asset Formation and Rural Infrastructure Development:
- The programme aimed to promote asset formation among the rural poor by providing them with productive assets like land, livestock, tools, and machinery.
- It also focused on developing rural infrastructure such as roads, irrigation facilities, drinking water supply, and rural electrification to improve the overall quality of life in rural areas.

Women Empowerment:
- IRDP recognized the importance of women's empowerment in rural development and aimed to enhance the socio-economic status of rural women.
- It provided special provisions and support for women's participation in income-generating activities and decision-making processes at the grassroots level.

Environmental Conservation and Sustainable Development:
- The programme emphasized the importance of environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in rural areas.
- It aimed to promote sustainable agricultural practices, afforestation, and conservation of water resources to ensure long-term benefits for rural communities.

Institutional Development and Capacity Building:
- IRDP focused on strengthening local institutions and building the capacity of rural communities to effectively plan, implement, and manage development projects.
- It aimed to promote community participation, decentralization, and the involvement of local self-governance bodies in decision-making processes.

In conclusion, the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) had multiple objectives aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of rural people, reducing poverty, promoting social justice, empowering women, and ensuring sustainable development in rural areas. The programme focused on asset formation, self-employment, rural infrastructure development, and capacity building to achieve its objectives.