Some issues in the design and delivery of government aged social development programme: the case of DWCRA in Gujarat

Abstract

The paper shows that the record of implementation in Gujarat has not been particularly successful. The difficulties of finding suitable women officers to implement this programme at various levels, the lack of orientation among field workers and the high turnover among senior level staff drawn on deputation from other departments have been identified as the major reasons for ineffective implementation. This programme demands innovative approaches in extension and imagination in identifying appropriate economic and social activities for selected groups of women. Rural development functionaries accustomed to implementing large scale programmes of wage and self-employment have been found wanting in adapting to this approach.