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Lok Sabha
As per the schedule finalized by NABARD (in consultation with Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation) for the year 2005-06, 10,000 Village Knowledge Centres (Gyan Kendras) would be set up in ten selected states/UTs namely West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal have been selected in the first phase. As on date no project report indicating list of villages to be covered has been received from any of the State Governments by NABARD.
The Village Knowledge Centres are expected to act as a delivery mechanism for information on various aspects like agriculture input and output prices, agricultural practices, weather alerts, health, education etc. based on the needs of the local people. In addition, it would also become a focal point for e-governance and deliver government services through the same channel depending on the level of computerization of operations of the state government.
The Finance Minister has allocated Rs. 100 crore in budget 2005-06 under RIDF for credit support to State Governments to set up Village Knowledge Centres (Gyan Kendras).
Mission 2007 (a National Level Initiative launched by integrated efforts of 80 organisations including civil society organisations) envisages setting up of Rural Knowledge Centres in every village of the country by the 60th year of Independence i.e. 15 August, 2007.
This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development Smt. Suryakanta Patil in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
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