PPP IN RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: BOON OR BANE! 

Abstract

PPP in today’s globalised world is seen as an efficient mechanism to develop infrastructure in developing economy and transform the static economy into dynamic economy. Despite more than six decades of planning, rural India is having high illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, ignorance, blind beliefs, and other social economic evils, when compared to Urban India. Government proposed PPP in rural development to utilize the private sector efficiencies to finance and build the socio- economic infrastructure in India.

The important sectors where PPP are suggested for rural development are to construct toilets, development of dry land, housing, health etc. In India, 625 million people defecate in open. It is 51 percent of India’s population, where in 67 percent of them live in rural India and 14 percent in urban areas. 13 to 18 million families in rural India are reported to be landless of which about 8 million lack homes of their own. Dry land agriculture is an essential part of our world, but is neglected and it has to be rejuvenated. In rural India, the homelessness is a regular feature. Many are living in the houses which can be hardly called as houses. They live in grossly inadequate condition. 47.43 million Households did not have house by the end of 2012, of which 90 % were BPL households.

The PPP work efficiently, when there is strong government ably assisted by honest bureaucrats. But unfortunately India does not have the strong Government, Hence PPP for rural development is not a viable solution, but a strong and more responsible government with pro-active programmes and proper implementation of those programmes can change the face of rural India for Better.

Keywords: Inclusive Growth, Rural Economic Development, Sanitation, Development of Land, Housing, Positives, Apprehension, Alternatives, Village Development Plan, PURA, Socio-Economic Demographic Indicators