Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY): Guidelines for Capacity Building

Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) is a significant urban development initiative launched by the Government of India to create a “Slum-Free India”. It aims to provide inclusive and equitable cities where all citizens have access to basic civic and social services. Recognizing the critical need for skilled personnel, these guidelines outline the capacity-building framework under RAY to empower states and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Context and Need

Various reports and studies have highlighted the lack of skilled urban professionals and institutional capacity within ULBs. The scheme’s guidelines are designed to address these shortcomings by building capacity at both state and city levels. They aim to bridge the gaps in financial, social, and governance capacities, which often limit ULBs from steering effective urban development. The scheme aims to equip urban practitioners with specialized knowledge and experiential learning needed to tackle urban challenges.

Objectives of Capacity Building

The capacity building program under RAY has several key objectives:

• To develop institutional capacity for pro-poor governance at State and ULB levels.

• To enhance efficiency in civic administration through improved human resource capacity.

• To ensure the effective delivery of basic civic services and amenities.

• To effectively implement projects and reforms under RAY.

• To enhance sensitivity to the needs of the poor and marginalized.

• To facilitate institutional arrangements that enable community participation.

Key Strategies for Capacity Building

The guidelines suggest a four-pronged strategy for capacity building under RAY:

1. Enhancing Existing Capacities: Training programs, workshops, and exposure visits for various stakeholders, focusing on slum redevelopment, inclusive planning, and technology adoption.

2. Augmenting Human Resources: Establishing State and City Level Technical Cells (SLTCs and CLTCs), staffed by professionals in planning, engineering, social development, and related fields, and development of a municipal cadre for social and community development.

3. Capacity Building Programs through NNRCs: Using the National Network of Resource Centers (NNRCs) and other empanelled training institutes to provide knowledge and skills for implementing RAY.

4. Creation of New Institutions: The creation of new training institutes and centres of excellence in order to supplement and catalyze capacity building.

Implementation Process

The implementation process includes the following:

1. Enhancement of Capacities of Urban Practitioners: This includes creating standardized training modules, conducting workshops at different levels (National, Regional, State, City, thematic) and providing handholding support.

2. Establishment of Cells: Forming technical cells at the state and city levels with experts who can assist in implementation and monitoring.

3. Capacity Building Plan and Calendar: Developing a detailed annual plan outlining training and other activities.

4. Financial assistance: Details central assistance for various aspects of Capacity building.

Central Assistance and Key Activities

The scheme provides central assistance for several activities, including:

• Preparation of Slum Free City Plans of Action (SFCPoAs) and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).

• Data entry, GIS mapping, and survey activities.

• Training and capacity-building programs for elected representatives, officials, and community members.

• Exposure visits to successful projects and initiatives.

• Documentation of best practices and case studies.

• Hiring of experts for technical cells.

The financial aid provided under the scheme is determined as per the set norms and guidelines and is released in phases after achieving set milestones.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The progress of RAY is monitored through a web-based system (IPOMS), which includes a capacity-building module. The module captures details of capacity-building activities.

Conclusion

The Capacity Building Guidelines under Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) provide a comprehensive framework to build and enhance the skills and capacities of urban stakeholders. By focusing on inclusive planning, community participation, and sustainable development, these guidelines will ensure effective and targeted implementation of RAY’s vision of a “Slum-Free India.” The plan not only focuses on strengthening existing institutions, but also emphasizes on building new resources, thus creating a sustainable capacity building ecosystem.