Fundamentals of Extension Education (1+1)

Post Independence era: Firka Development Project

 
• Gandhian ideals of simplicity, non-violence and sanctity of labour did not only evoked response in the Northern parts of the country, but also in the south, where in a Govt. sponsored scheme it aimed at the attainment of the Gandhian ideal of Gram Swaraj by bringing about not only educational, economic, sanitary and other improvements in villages, but also by making the people self-confident. The scheme was launched in the last quarter of 1946 in 34 Firkas throughout the State and on April 1, 1950, it was extended to another 50 additional Firkas, at the rate of two Firkas for each distinct. The section of the Firkas was based on considerations of the general backwardness of the area and the possibilities for initiating the production of handloom cloth and other cottage industries to give a Philip to Rural Reconstruction.
• Like any other Gandhian scheme of Rural Reconstruction this scheme too aimed at attacking the rural problems as a whole, as well as in parts, consisted of short term plans for the development of rural communications, water supply, formation of Panchayats, organization of cooperatives and programmes for sanitation, as also long-term plans to make The area self-sufficient through agricultural, irrigational and livestock improvements, and the development of Khadi (hand-made cloth) and other Cottage Industries to make the rural life sufficient.
• The Collector, who was primarily responsible to see the successful working of the scheme, is the district. He was assisted by a rural welfare officer of the rank of Naib Tehsildar, who was put incharge of 2-3 selected Firkas. Each Firka was divided into 5 to 10 groups of villages which were put in the charge of Gram Sevak who were of the rank of Revenue Inspectors. Each Firka or group of Firkas was provided with special staff like agricultural field man, administrative officers, Ministers, P.W.D. Supervisors and minor irrigation overseers. To associate the people with the implementation of the programme, Development committees, consisting of officials, were constituted in each Firka. At the State level, there was a State Rural Welfare Board comprising the heads of the Departments and influential and constructive social workers.