Rural Development Programmes in Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh: An Evaluative Study

Rural Development is one of the most important factors for the growth of the Indian economy. India is primarily an agriculture-based country. Agriculture contributes nearly one-fifth of the gross domestic product in India. In order to increase the growth of agriculture, the Government has planned several programs pertaining to Rural Development in India. It has witnessed several changes over the years in its emphasis, approaches, strategies and programmes. Rural development aims at improving rural people’s livelihoods in an equitable and sustainable manner, both socially and environmentally, through better access to assets (natural, physical, human, technological and social capital), and services. The basic objectives of Rural Development Programmes have been alleviation of poverty and unemployment through creation of basic social and economic infrastructure, provision of training to rural unemployed youth and providing employment to marginal Farmers/Labourers to discourage seasonal and permanent migration to urban areas.The work has been evaluated three major programmes such as Indira Kranti Patham, MGNREGS and Indiramma Housing Scheme in Chittoor District of AP