G.O. (Ms.) No. 133, Manimegalai Awards, 2021-22

What the government order does

G.O. (Ms.) No. 133 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS-3) Department, dated 15 November 2021, implements the Manimegalai Awards announced in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The awards recognise community based organisations for their participation in development activities and performance in areas such as financial linkage, access to benefits and poverty reduction.

The eligible organisation types are:

• Self Help Groups.
• Panchayat Level Federations.
• Village Poverty Reduction Committees.
• Block Level Federations.
• Area Level Federations.
• City Level Federations.

The government permits the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited to use funds approved under the 2021-22 Annual Action Plan of the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

Awards and funding

G.O. (Ms.) No. 133 provides state level awards for rural and urban organisations, including 20 Self Help Groups, five Panchayat Level Federations, five Village Poverty Reduction Committees, two Block Level Federations, three Area Level Federations and two City Level Federations.

District level awards cover Self Help Groups and specified rural and urban federations or committees. The approved total is Rs.208.75 lakh, consisting of Rs.204.75 lakh for state and district awards and Rs.4.00 lakh for trophies or mementos.

Selection arrangements

G.O. (Ms.) No. 133 creates a state level selection committee chaired by the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women Limited. Its members include representatives from rural development, municipal administration, banking, training and the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project.

Each district selection committee is chaired by the District Collector. Members include district livelihood and rural development officials, the Lead Bank District Manager, and nominated office bearers from a Block Level Federation and a City Level Federation.

Self Help Group criteria

The annexure states that a Self Help Group must satisfy all four qualifying conditions:

• Be at least four years old when applying.
• Have taken bank or financial institution loans at least three times and repaid without default.
• Have changed or rotated at least two office bearers at least once.
• Hold an A or B grade.

Evaluation considers meeting regularity, use of savings, bank borrowing, livelihood loans to members, training, and participation in social welfare activities.

Relevance to property matters

G.O. (Ms.) No. 133 concerns awards for community based organisations. It contains no provision changing land classification, title, patta, registration, planning controls or property transactions.