Centre announces fellowship initiative with Tata Institute of Social Sciences

HYDERABAD: The Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences today announced the launch of the Prime Minister's Rural Development Fellows ( PMRDF) programme which aims to "support" welfare initiatives.

" TISS has been an integral part of the selection and capacity building of the Fellows who will be placed in 78 Integrated Action Plan districts across 9 states. They will support and anchor development programmes by bridging the gap between the system and grassroots," Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh said.

TISS Director S Parasuraman said the first phase of the PMRDF programme has selected 156 graduates from across the country with diverse disciplinary backgrounds.

The Fellows will have a duration of 2 to 3 years to work with the respective district administration and assess the implementation of various government schemes.

Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Panchayat Raj Kishore Chandra Deo and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia were among the dignitaries who attended the function.