Socio-Economic and Caste Census to conclude by 15th August so that the data can be used for planning in the programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development and other Ministries

 Shri Birender Singh, Union Rural Development Minister emphasised that the SECC must be expeditiously concluded by taking all necessary steps, before 15th August 2015 so that the data can be used for planning in the programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development and other Ministries too, while providing the benefits of government development programmes to Gram Panchayats and rural and urban poor households. SECC would enable the Government to introduce much needed ‘focussed and targeted intervention’ in poverty reduction and rural development programmes as it is based on information furnished by the households. A development plan at Gram Panchayat level based on SECC would enable convergence of resources, funds and government’s intervention for preparing and implementing Gram Panchayat Plan for speedy and targeted poverty reduction. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) will use the SECC data to undertake planning for poverty free Panchayats involving PRIs and Self Help Groups from poor households. 
         It has been decided by the Minister of Rural Development to mandatorily use SECC data in all MoRD Programmes. The Minister of Rural Development directed the DoRD to incorporate suitable modifications in guidelines of schemes keeping in view the SECC data and that a system of regular data up-dation should be developed so that household wise progress could be mapped and households needing developmental and social support are tracked over the years. SECC data uses National Population Register’s (NPR) Temporary Identification Number (TIN) for identification of households. The same is to be used in all Rural Development programmes to enable better convergence and tracking over time.