How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? 1) DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country. 2) DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures. 3) DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes. 4) DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct answer is B (3 and 4 only). DRDAs are registered societies set up in each district under the Ministry of Rural Development, usually chaired by the District Collector. They are implementing and coordinating agencies for poverty alleviation schemes like IRDP, JRY and SGSY, which is the key to sorting the statements.

• Statement 1 is wrong. DRDAs are not Panchayati Raj Institutions. PRIs are constitutional bodies under Part IX (73rd Amendment). DRDA is an executive society, and the district-level PRI is the Zila Parishad. The DRDA can be asked to work with the Zila Parishad, but it is not one.
• Statement 2 is wrong. Area-specific scientific study of poverty and malnutrition is research work, done by institutions like ICMR, NIN, NCAER or university departments, not by DRDAs.
• Statement 3 is right. The DRDA brings line departments such as agriculture, health, education, rural development and banks onto one platform for anti-poverty schemes.
• Statement 4 is right. The DRDA monitors and reviews fund flow and utilisation for its programmes, which is part of its implementing role.

This links to the syllabus on governance, decentralisation and welfare delivery. A Mains answer on the 'last-mile' failure of anti-poverty schemes should bring in convergence and the need for DRDAs to coordinate with PRIs.

Trap: Candidates see 'district-level rural body' and assume it is a PRI. Remember that PRIs are constitutional and elected, while DRDAs are administrative societies.