G.O. (Ms) No. 124, Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives, State Innovation Fund Guidelines, 2014
The Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (SP.1) Department issued G.O. (Ms) No. 124 on 24 October 2014, setting guidelines for identifying, appraising, funding and implementing innovative government schemes through the State Innovation Fund. The guidelines apply to eligible government and public agencies, not to private land ownership, property transfers or land records.
What the guidelines govern
G.O. (Ms) No. 124 of the Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (SP.1) Department, dated 24 October 2014, supports innovations intended to improve public service delivery. An eligible innovation must address a clearly defined public problem through a new or novel process, practice, approach, technique, technology, service or organisational model.
The proposed innovation should improve efficiency through time or cost savings, make services easier to operate, or improve stakeholder experience. Repeating an existing programme or merely extending it to more areas or people is not treated as innovation.
Who can participate
The State Innovation Fund initially accepts proposals led by:
- State Government Departments.
- Local bodies.
- State Public Sector Undertakings.
- Statutory Boards formed by the State.
- State cooperative institutions.
- State universities.
- Societies formed by the State.
Local bodies, cooperative institutions and State societies must route proposals through the authorities specified in the guidelines. Eligible agencies may collaborate with reputable Non-Governmental Organizations, but an independent third party evaluation is compulsory for such projects.
The State Planning Commission may also receive suggestions from government employees, private individuals and organisations. A promising suggestion may be referred to the relevant department or agency for examination and preparation of a scheme.
Funding and permitted costs
The State Innovation Fund applies the following limits and conditions:
- Overall scheme cost is restricted to Rs.20 crores, with maximum expenditure of Rs.10 crores in a year.
- Assistance is normally available for up to three years, with one additional year possible in exceptional cases.
- Existing or redeployed staff should ordinarily implement schemes.
- Recurring costs are allowed within the scheme period.
- Indispensable equipment may ordinarily account for up to 25 per cent of project cost.
- Experts and consultants may be allowed in exceptional cases, up to 5 per cent of project cost.
- Funding may be combined with other available sources.
The Fund cannot be used simply to fill gaps or expand existing schemes into additional districts or blocks.
Appraisal and relevance to property owners
The State Planning Commission examines the public benefit, cost effectiveness, feasibility, implementation capacity, success measures and potential for future scaling. Proposals that do not constitute innovation are not considered.
G.O. (Ms) No. 124 does not establish rules for land title, sale, registration, classification or development rights. A property buyer or owner is therefore not directly affected unless involved in, advising on, or receiving services through an eligible public innovation scheme.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms) No. 124 change my land ownership or property records?
No. The Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (SP.1) Department guidelines deal with funding innovative public service schemes and do not set rules for land ownership or property records.
Can a private individual submit an idea to the State Innovation Fund?
The State Planning Commission may accept suggestions from private individuals, government employees and people representing organisations. Suitable ideas may be referred to the relevant department or agency for examination and preparation as a scheme.
Can an existing government programme receive funding to expand into more areas?
No. Repetition or geographical expansion of an existing programme is not considered innovation, and the Fund cannot be used for gap filling.
Can a Non-Governmental Organization help implement an innovative scheme?
Yes, an eligible agency may collaborate with a reputable Non-Governmental Organization. An independent third party evaluation is compulsory for every such scheme.
