Participatory Forest Management            
 
Status of JFMCs under FDAs in HP
Grant in Aid - 2002
Sanjhi Van Yojna - 2001
Grant in Aid - 2000
Participatory Forest Management Rule - 2000




SANJHI VAN YOJNA - 2001

GOVERNMENT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
DEPARTMENT OF FOREST

File No FFE-C (9).1/2001                                                                    Dated 23.8.2001

Notification

The Governor of Himachal Pradesh is pleased to promulgate the following scheme for sustainable management of forest resources in the State in collaboration with the local communities, namely: 

1.      This scheme shall be called Sanjhi Van Yojna Scheme, 2001. 

2.      It shall come into force with immediate effect. 

3.      The existing Sanjhi Van Yojna Scheme, 1998, the Parisharam Hamara Van Hamara Scheme, 2000 and the Apna Van, Apna Dhan Scheme, which was to be launched during the year 2001 shall stand clubbed with the Sanjhi Van Yojna Scheme, 2001.

4.      Objectives: The present scheme shall have the following objectives:  

(i)                 Involvement of grass root level institutions such as gram panchayats, mahila mandals, yuvak mandals, ex-servicemen’s bodies, schools, Village Forest Development Societies (VFDSs), User groups, other Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and NGOs in sustainable management of forest resources; 

(ii)                Grant of 100 % income from plantations to the VFDSs and Panchayats; 

(iii)              Grant of total usufruct rights to the VFDSs; 

(iv)              Regeneration of degraded forest areas and conservation & sustainable use of better forests through community involvement. 

(v)               Involvement of local communities in the choice of species to be planted under the scheme; 

(vi)              Creation and enhancement of social, physical and financial capital of the  participating communities for poverty reduction; 

(vii)            Special emphasis on involvement of women in the scheme; 

(viii)           Address problem of rural unemployment by utilising degraded forest land for large scale plantations;

(ix)              Establish linkage between Food for Work Programme and the present scheme by making payments in the shape of food grains under the scheme;

(x)                Increasing productivity of the Forest areas by improvement of nursery stock and adoption of mixed plantations.

(xi)              Training of forest staff, VFDS members and CBOs / NGOs for facilitating and strengthening community participation.

(xii)             Gradually empower local communities and local level institutions to become more pro-active in sustainable forest management.

(xiii)           To help VFDSs achieve financial viability and sustainability by introducing proper mix of short and long duration cropping patterns as a short and long term objective to ensure their continued participation in the scheme.

 

5.      Strategy:

1.      Recognise that participatory processes are critical to Sustainable Forest Management in HP.

2.      Recognise that to institutionalise participation, strengthening of local institutions like the Panchayat, Forest Development Societies, User groups etc., and the forest department is essential. 

3.      Recognise the link between rural poverty reduction and the sustained and increasing availability of forest resources and access to them for the rural communities particularly the poor, to target pockets of poverty in the state. 

4.      Recognise that the role of the HPFD, as the main facilitating agency for PFM, shall need to be complemented by a regular, equitable participatory system through which stakeholders on their own meet, debate strategic issues, consider optimal solutions and form partnerships. In strengthening the latter, the engagement of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Bases Organisations (CBOs) would be encouraged. 

5.      Recognise that Gender issues form a thematic concern in PFM. Thus a gender sensitive approach shall need to be adopted within the HPFD and amongst the organised community groups involved with PFM. 

6.  Implementation: 

The scheme shall be governed by the PFM Rules, 2001 promulgated vide Notification No. Fts.II(B)15.10.87 dated 23.08.2001. 

7.  Coverage:

(i)                  To begin with the existing 364 VFDSs and 153 VFDCs formed earlier under the Sanjhi Van Yojna and the Himachal Pradesh Forestry Project in Kullu and Mandi shall be brought under the umbrella of this scheme;

(ii)                The scheme shall be extended to other areas subsequently.

(iii)               In tribal areas of the state the scheme shall be implemented from the current financial year i.e. 2001-02.

 8.  Process Approach: 

Since Participatory Forest Management entails a process approach, the Sanjhi Van Yojna scheme shall not be target driven. For the long-term success and the sustainability of the village level institutions, it is important that proper and adequate methods of community organisation and management are followed. Thus, normally in the first year where the scheme is introduced, major emphasis shall be on the systematic and sequential formation of VFDSs, training of staff, CBOs and community members. Towards the end of the first year, a well documented but simple and understandable micro-plan needs to be ready for approval and implementation during the next year. The procedure for approval of micro-plans as laid out in the PFM processes has to be strictly followed. The forest department may also begin creation / extension of nurseries in the first year so that plants are ready in the second year.

9.  Funding: 

(i)                  The funding under Sanjhi Van Yojna scheme to the VFDSs for works to be carried out by them shall be made in the form of Grant-in-Aid (GIA) to the concerned society by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) concerned.

(ii)                The Grant-in-Aid shall be governed and regulated as per the GIA Rules notified vide Notification No. FFE-B-(G)9-6/99 dated 31.05.2000.

(iii)               The GIA shall be deposited in the bank account of the VFDS and unspent funds shall be allowed to roll over to the next financial year.

 

10.  Contribution by the VFDSs: 

On the pattern of Vikas Mein Jan Sahyog policy of the Government, each VFDS shall be required to make a cash contribution of 15 % of the annual outlay under the approved micro-plan. This contribution can be made in instalments during the year provided each instalment shall be 15 % of the GIA being released to the VFDS at one time. In the case of plantation work this contribution can be in the form of shramdan and deducted from the wage bill for the plantation work.

 11.    Maintenance:

The maintenance of physical assets created shall be the responsibility of the VFDS concerned. For plantations, however, the forest department shall continue to supply planting material to the VFDS on demand, free of cost for three years including the year of plantation. Thereafter, for any more supply of plants price shall be charged from the VFDS.

 12.    Income Generation Activities: 

(i)                  In order to enhance the economic stake of rural communities in the conservation and sustainable utilisation of forest resources as well as to create means of income for the VFDS and its members, forestry related income generation activities be promoted under Sanjhi Van Yojna scheme. Such activities may include water harvesting and its use for irrigation / drinking purposes. In situ or Ex situ growing of medicinal plants of high economic value within the selected areas or even on private lands. Value addition to medicinal raw drugs through simple semi- processing etc., and training in these. Introduction of improved grasses and development of village pastures. High-density fuelwood / fodder plantations. These examples are illustrative only and suitable income generation activities can be adopted as per the local conditions. 

(ii)                The income generation activities, however, may commence only in the second or third year of the micro-plan. The proportion of funds earmarked to support income generation activities shall be as enumerated in the subsequent paragraphs. 

13.    Input Sharing Arrangement: 

(i)                  The HPFD shall encourage social fencing by the VFDS as a matter of policy. Wherever necessity of physical fencing arises it shall be done by using local materials like bushes etc. In order to encourage social fencing, funds that are normally spent on fencing, including cost of materials, shall be made over to the VFDSs. The VFDS’s shall then be free to use this money for protection of the plantations as they deem fit.

(ii)                Tools, implements and other material required for carrying out activities under the approved micro-plans shall be arranged by the VFDS. 

14.    Usufruct Sharing: 

(i)                  100 % of forest produce including NTFPs and all intermediate harvest from the closed area(s) shall go to the VFDS.

(ii)                75 % of the final harvest shall go to the VFDS and 25 % to the Panchayat. However, out of its share of 75 % from the final harvest, 40 % shall be earmarked to regeneration/conservation activities within the closed area(s) of that VFDS. 

15.    Norms for allocation of budget: 

The statement of annual plan of operations under various micro plans shall be submitted by the DFOs to their respective Conservators, who shall scrutinize these APOs vis-à-vis Micro plans submitted to them and shall allot the budget accordingly. Component wise allocations shall be made as per the ratio proportions given in the following table. However, in the first and second year of the execution of the scheme, emphasis shall have o be placed on the initial processes of establishing nurseries, preparation of the micro-plans, soil and moisture conservation measures, workshops, and training. This shall help achieve sustainability. Accordingly in the first two years of the scheme, the budget allocation shall be at variance from the norms given in the table below:

Table showing norms for allocation of budget 

S No

 

Activity

PROPORTION OF BUDGET

1

Lump sum

 Preparation of MP

Rs. 5000/- for each MP

2

Micro plan activities. 80%

( of this 15 % is to be contributed by the VFDS)

Plantation incl. grasses, NTFPs

60%

 

Soil & Water conservation

 

15%

Income Generation Activities

 

25%

3

Departmental Expenditure 20%

Establishment of  Nursery

 

50%

Trainings

20%

Workshops

10%

Monitoring

10%

Contingencies

10%

By Order                               

(Avay Shukla)

F.C. – cum – Secy. (Forests) to the

Govt. of Himachal Pradesh

Enst. No. FFE-C(9)1/2001-09-24                   Dated Shimla-2, the, 23.8.2001

 

 

 

GRANT-IN-AID - 2000

Notification

The Governor, HP is pleased to promulgate the following rules regulating payment of Grant-in-Aid to the Village Forest Development Societies under the Sanjhi Van Yojna, Himachal Pradesh. 

RULES 

Short Titile And Extent:
(i) These Rules may be called "Rules Regulating the Grant-in-Aid to the Village Forest Development Societies under the Sanjhi Van Yojna, Himachal Pradesh.

(ii) These Rules shall come into force immediately.

Definitions:
In these Rules, unless there is any thing repugnant in the subject or context:  

(i) 'Department' means the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.

(ii) 'Govt.' means the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

(iii) 'Revenue' means the revenue administered by Himachal Pradesh Govt.

(iv) ‘Secretary' means the Secretary to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh in the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.

(v) Conservator' means the Conservator of Forests of the Circle concerned.

(vi) 'DFO' means the Divisional Forest Officer of the Division concerned.

(vii) 'SVY' means Sanjhi Van Yojna.

(viii) 'Society' means Village Forest Development Society. 

Purpose of the Grant-in- Aid:
The purpose of Grant -in-aid is for the furtherance of objectives of  Sanjhi Van Yojna and its implementation  through the Societies.  The assistance in the shape of Grant -in- Aid would be meant for expenditure on preparation of  microplans, Entry Point Activitiy, Establishment of    Modern nurseries, Trainings, Workshops and Publicity etc., subject to the availability of funds, and based on such norms, and for such other purposes, as may be decided by the Govt. from time to time. All Grant-in- Aid disbursal will be guided by transparent norms, framed in advance, to govern not merely the unit of cost of different activities, but to also specify maximum costings for amounts for different activities that individual Societies would be entitled to.

Mode of Payment:
The amount of Grant-in-Aid shall be sanctioned by the DFO, keeping in view both, the norms and, within these, the requirement of the society, as well as available funds, on receipt of a written request from the Society, indicating the purpose for which it is required. Normally a self-contained proposal containing the demand for the whole year shall be furnished by the Society by 30th April every year, for scrutiny of the DFO, prior to sanction.

  Sanction of for Conditions for Grant-in-Aid:
The sanction of the Grant -in-Aid shall be subject to following conditions:

  1. That the DFO shall have right to check the accounts of the Society, to satisfy himself that the Grant-in -Aid has been spent for the purpose for which it has been sanctioned.  In case it is found that the Grant-in-Aid has been mis-utilised, it will be open to the DFO to recover the aid from the Society, and to stop further payment. 

  2.  The assets acquired wholly or substantially out of Govt. grants would not, without the prior sanction of the Govt., be disposed of, encumbered or utilized for purposes other than those for which grants are sanctioned.  The Society shall maintain a register in the form (as in Annexure-A) in respect of the permanent and semi-permanent assets acquired wholly or mainly out of Govt. grant. This register should be maintained by the Society separately in respect of each sanctioning authority to whom a copy thereof will be furnished annually for permanent record.  The assets would be taken to means all immovable and movable property of capital nature where the value exceeds Rs. 1000/-. Library books and articles of furniture will not, however, be included in it.

Maintenance of Accounts

  1. The Society shall maintain its accounts and records, and the same will be open  to inspection by the nominee(s) so deputed by the Government.

  2. An un-audited utilization certificate will be furnished by the Society in respect of Grant-in-Aid released to the Society during a particular year by 15th April of next year, as per form in Annexure-B, to the sanctioning authority, who will furnish the same to the Accountant General HP. The account in respect of the Grant-in-Aid released to the Society for SVY activities during a particular year, under various SVY schemes, will be furnished by the DFO to the Accountant General (Audit) H.P. by the end of September of the next/ following year of sanction of Grant-in-Aid.  The SVY account of the Society will be audited by a qualified Accountant, or any other agency approved by the Government, before December next, in order to ensure proper utilization of the amount of the Grant-in-Aid released by the Department to the Society.  Thereafter the Society will submit one copy of the audited utilization certificate in respect of each project activity to the DFO. The quarterly installment in respect of the Grant -in-Aid for a particular year will be released by the DFO on the basis of un-audited utilization certificate furnished by the Society.

Miscellaneous:
In order to ascertain the utilization of funds released to Societies by DFOs under various microplan activities, the Conservators shall furnish a  report to the Addl. PCCF, H.P. and/or Secretary (Forests) to the H.P. Govt., as and when desired by them.

Head of Account:
The expenditure on account of payment of Grant-in-Aid is to be charged under Head 2406 Forestry  & Wild Life (Plan)- 01 Forestry - 800 Other Expenditure-06-SOON & 06-SOOS-  New Forestry Scheme(SVY).


By order

FC-cum-Secretary (Forests)
to the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh.

Endst. No.FFE-B-(G)9-6/99                                                                Dated Shimla-171001, the 31.05.2000  

 

ANNEXURE-'A'

ASSETS ACQUIRED WHOLLY OR SUBSTANTIALLY OUT OF GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Serial No.

Institution

No. and date of sanction

Amount of the sanctioned  grant

Brief purpose of the grant

Whether any condition regarding the right of
ownership of Govt. in the property or other assets
acquired out of the grant was incorporated
in the grant-in-aid sanction.

Particulars of assets actually created or acquired

 

 

 

 

Value of assets as on

Purpose for which utilized at present

Encumbered or not

Reason if encumbered

Disposed of or not

Reason and authority, if any, for disposal

Amount realized on disposal

Remarks

 

FORM OF UTILISATION CERTIFICATE 

Sr.No.Letter                     Certified that out of Rs. _________________

No. amount & dated         of grant -in- aid sanctioned during the year___________________ in favour of                                            under this Department  letter  number given in the margin and Rs.____________ on account of                                           unspent balance of the previous year/s  sum of Rs ________ has been utilized for the purpose of
                                          ____________________________________ 

     for which it was sanctioned and that the balance of Rs.___________ remaining un-utilized on the      end of the year shall be utilized during the next financial year with the prior approval of the Govt.

2.                   Certified that I have satisfied that the conditions on which the grant-in-aid was sanctioned have been duly fulfilled/are being fulfilled and that I have exercised the following checks to see that the money was actually utilized for the purpose for which it was sanctioned.   

Kinds of check exercised :

1._____________________

2._____________________

3._____________________

4._____________________

5._____________________

                                                                                     Signature_______________________                                                                                    Designation_____________________
Dated _________________________

 

 

 

PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT RULES - 2000

(Authoritative English text of this Department Notification No. Fts-II (B)15-10/87 Dated  23.8.2001 as required  under clause (3) of article 348  of the Constitution of India)

                                                                               Notification

No. Fts. II (B) 15- 10/87                                                                                                            Dated 23.08.2001 

In exercise of the powers conferred by section 80 read with section 81 of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 (Act No. XVI of 1927), the Governor, Himachal Pradesh is pleased to make the following Regulations, namely:

 

1.     Short title, application and commencement:

(1)               These Regulations may be called the Himachal Pradesh Participatory Forest Management Regulations, 2001.

(2)               They shall apply to such Government forests and such Government land including the common land, which shall be selected jointly for participatory forest management by the Society and the Department.

(3)               They shall come into force from the date of publication in Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh.

2. Definitions:
In these Regulations, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, -

(a)               “Act” means The Indian Forest Act, 1927, (Act No. 16 of 1927) as amended in its application to Himachal Pradesh;

(b)               "Conflict Resolution Group" means a group consisting of  a representative of the concerned Gram Panchayat, a representative of the local non-government organizations  or local community based organizations and the concerned Assistant Conservator of Forests;

(c)               "common land",“family”, “Gram Panchayat”, “Panch”, "Pradhan",   “village” and  “Ward” shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 ( Act No. 4  of 1994);

(d)               "Department" means the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department;

(e)                “Divisional Forest Officer” means the forest officer in-charge of a territorial or wildlife forest division of the Department;

(f)                 “Executive Committee” means executive body of the Society;

(g)               “Forest Officer” means a Forest Officer as defined under sub- section (2)  of section 2 of the Act;

(h)               “General House” means General House of the Society;

(i)                 “Government” means Government of Himachal Pradesh;

 

(j)                 "grazier group"  means a group of  persons, whether resident members or migratory graziers, who are dependent on  the grazing resource in the selected area for meeting their livelihood needs;

(k)               “micro- plan”, means a holistic forest management and development plan of the area selected for participatory management;

(l)                 "participatory forest management" means management of Government forest and Government land including common land managed jointly by the Society and by the Department;

(m)             “selected area” means any Government forest and Government land including common land selected under regulation 3 of these Regulations;

(n)               "self help group" means any organized group of  persons, who collectively by mutual help are able to enhance their economic status through resource based activities;

(o)               “site specific plan” means a sub component of the micro-plan which is a technically appropriate plan for the site;

(p)               " Society"  means village forest development society registered under section 3 of the Societies Registration Act, 1860  (Act No. 21 of 1860) for participatory forest management;

(q)               “sustainable forest management” means management which is economically viable, environmentally benign and socially beneficial, and which balances present and future needs; and

(r)                "user group" means a group of persons dependent upon  a common  natural resource for sustaining its livelihood needs.

3. Intent of participatory forest management:

(1)        On an application made to the Divisional Forest Officer signed by at least 50 percent of the voters of a Gram Panchayat Ward, any Government forest and Government land including common land may be brought under participatory forest management. The land so identified shall be known as selected area.

(2)        In accordance with the wider objectives and plans of Government for sustainable forest management, the selected area shall be managed jointly by the Society and the Department on the terms and conditions of an agreement to be entered between the Society and the Department.

4.     Village forest development society:

(1)      There shall be a Society for a Gram Panchayat Ward. However, where the Ward is not compact and the hamlets within it do not have common forests, common grazing lands, common rights and concessions more than one Society may be formed for each cluster of hamlets. The Society shall be registered under section 3 of the Societies’ Registration Act, 1860. (Act No. 21 of 1860).

(2)        All voters of a Gram Panchayat Ward shall be entitled to be enrolled as members of the Society.


5. Constitution of Executive Committee of the Society:

            The Executive Committee shall consist of -

(a)            President                                 to be elected by the General House;

(b)            Vice President                                          -do-

(c)            Four Members                                          -do-

(d)        Treasurer                      to be nominated by the elected members from 
                                     amongst the members of the Society;

(e)        Joint Secretary (woman)                                   -do-

(f)         Ward Panch                                         ex-officio member;

(g)        President - Mahila Mandal                                -do-

(h)        Representative - Local women group                -do-

(i )        Three Members to be co-opted from the village level committees constituted by other departments of the Government, societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, (Act No. 21 of 1860) ,  user groups, self help group and grazier group;

(j)         Member- Secretary      to be elected by the General House.

            Provided that at least 7 members of the Executive Committee shall be from amongst the women.  Joint Secretary shall assist the Member-Secretary.

6.  Term of office of members of the Executive Committee:
Elected members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for a period of two years from the date of assumption of office.  

7.  Powers of the Executive Committee:
 The Executive Committee shall exercise the powers of a “Forest Officer” as assigned by the Government under the Act.

8.  Usufruct Sharing:
The Society shall be entitled to the following benefits, namely :-
(a)                to collect the yield such as fallen twigs, branches, loppings, grass, fruits, flowers, seeds, leaf fodder and non timber forest products free of cost;

(b)               to the sale proceeds of all intermediate harvest, subject to protection of forest and plantations for at least 3 years from the date of agreement;

(c)                to organize and promote vocational activities related to forest produce and land; and other activities such as promotion of self help groups which may provide direct benefits, including micro-lending to women. None of the activities so promoted shall affect the legal status of the forest land;

(d)               recorded rights over the forest shall not be affected by these benefits;

(e)                the Government shall charge no royalty on the forest produce within the selected area;

(f)                 after 5 years, the Society may expand the area, on the basis of a fresh agreement deed, by inclusion of adjoining or nearby areas; 

(g)                after 20 years from the date of agreement and, based on the principles of sustained forest management, 75 percent of the net sale proceeds from the selected area shall be put into the account of Society and the remaining 25 percent of the net sale proceeds shall go to the concerned Gram Panchayat; and

(h)                to utilize at least 40 percent of the net sale proceeds on forest regeneration activities including soil and water conservation.

Provided that for the purpose of usufruct sharing, family shall be one unit.

9.    Funds:
Funds shall be generated by the Society through contributions by members and the sale of usufructs under these regulations. All funds, including those received from the Government, Gram Panchayats and non-government sources, shall be utilized through the micro-planning process.

10.    Maintenance of Accounts:
The sum received by the Society shall be deposited in the name of the concerned Society in a nationalized bank or scheduled bank or co-operative bank or post office and the account shall be operated under the signatures of the President, Treasurer and Member-Secretary of the Society.

11.    Grant-in-Aid:
|The department shall release Grant-In- Aid to the Society under the Grant-In-Aid Rules subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance of functions by the Society.  

12.    Settlement of Dispute:
In case of any dispute in relation to usufruct sharing in the Society, the Deputy Ranger concerned of the Department, shall take steps to reconcile the dispute.  In case the dispute is not resolved, the Deputy Ranger shall refer the dispute, along with his report to the Range Officer concerned of the Department. The Range Officer, after hearing the parties, shall resolve the dispute within 30 days from the date of receipt of report of the Deputy Ranger.

13.     Appeal:
An appeal shall lie from the decision of the Range Officer to the Conflict Resolution Group to be filed within 30 days from the date of decision, who shall decide the same within 60 days from the date of filing of appeal, after affording an opportunity of being heard to the parties.  The decision of the Conflict Resolution Group shall be final and binding on the parties. The Conflict Resolution Group shall send a copy of the decision to the Society and the Divisional Forest Officer concerned free of cost.

14.    Preparation of micro-plans:

(1)       A micro-plan shall be prepared for the holistic forest management and development of the selected area, by the Society. The Department shall help the Society in preparation of the micro-plan. A micro-plan shall be operative for a period of five years from the date of its approval by the Divisional Forest Officer and may be revised after three years. The micro-plan shall be passed in the general house with at least 60 percent majority of the members present.

(2)       The Divisional Forest Officer may approve whole or part of the micro-plan.

15.    Powers of the Government:
Notwithstanding anything contained in these regulations, the Government shall have the powers to issue directions to the Society on participatory forest management processes, micro-planning, co-ordination, monitoring, grant -in -aid and implementation mechanisms.

          

                                       BY ORDER

                        FC-cum-Secretary (Forests) to the
Government of Himachal Pradesh        

Endst. No. As above                                                                                                     Dated Shimla-2 the 23.8.2001

GOVERNMENT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
FOREST DEPARTMENT

 

NO. FFE-B(G)9-6/99       

Dated Shimla-2, the, 30th October, 2002

 NOTIFICATION

 The Governor, HP is pleased to promulgate the following rules regulating payment of Grant-in Aid to the Village Forest Development Societies under the Participatory Forest Management (PFM) schemes operative in Himachal Pradesh

Short Title   
And Extent                         1

 

(i)         These Rules may be called “Rules Regulating   the Grant-in-Aid to the village Forest   Development Societies under the PFM   schemes in Himachal Pradesh.

 (ii)         These rules shall come into force immediately.                     
Definitions                          2

In these Rules, unless there is any thing   repugnant in the subject or context.            
(i)            ‘Department’means the Himachal Pradesh   Forest Department.

(ii)        ‘Govt.’ mans the Government of Himachal    Pradesh.

(ii)                ‘Revenue’ means the revenue administered by Himachal Pradesh Government.

(iii)               ‘Secretary’ means the Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh in the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department.

(iv)              ‘Conservator’ means the Conservator of Forests of the Circle concerned.

(v)                ‘DFO’ means the Divisional Forest Officer of the Division concerned.

(vi)              ‘PFM’ means Participatory Forest Management.

(vii)             ‘Society’ means Village Forest Development Society.            

Purpose of the
Grant- in-Aid                       3

The purpose of Grant-in-aid is for the   furtherance of objectives of PFM and its             implementation through the Societies  . The   assistance in the shape of Grant-in-Aid would be meant for expenditure on plantation &   pasture improvement, soil & water conservation, income generation activities,     maintenance, fencing, protection etc., subject to the availability of funds, and based on such   norms and for such other purposes, as may be   decided by the Govt. from time to time.  All   Grant-in-aid disbursed will be funded by   transparent norms, framed in advance, to    govern not merely the unit of cost of different   activities, but to  also specify maximum   costing for amounts for different activities and   individual Societies would be entitled to.

Mode of payment.             4 The amount of Grant-in-aid shall be   sanctioned and released quarterly by the   DFO, keeping in view both, the norms and ,     within these, the requirement of the society, as     well as available funds, on receipt of a written request from the Society, indicating the purpose for which it is required. Normally a   self contained proposal containing the demand for the whole year shall be furnished by the Society by 30th April every year for scrutiny of the DFO, prior to sanction

Conditions for   
Sanction of
Grant-in-Aid                         5

The sanction of the Grant-in-aid shall be   subject to following conditions: 

(i)      That the DFO shall have right to check the   accounts of the Society, to satisfy himself that the Grant-in-aid has been spent for the   purpose for which it has been sanctioned. In case it is found that the Grant-in-aid has been mis-utilized, it will be open to the DFO to recover the aid from the Society, and to stop   further payment.

(ii)        The assets acquired wholly or substantially out of Government grants would not, without the prior sanction of the Govt. be disposed of,   encumbered or utilized for purposes other than   those for which grants are sanctioned. The Society shall  maintain a register in the form   (as in Annexure-A) in respect of the   permanent andsemi-permanent assets acquired wholly or mainly out of govt. grant. This register should be  maintained by the   Society separately in respect of each sanctioning authority to whom a copy thereof will be furnished annually  for permanent   record. The assets would be taken to mean all    immovable and movable property of capital nature where the value exceeds Rs. 10000/-    Library books and articles of furniture will    not, however, be included in it.

Maintenance of
Accounts and
Submission of
Utilization Certificates.       6

(i)       The Society shall maintain its accounts and    records and the same will be open to    inspection by the nominee (s) so deputed by   the government.

(ii)        An un-audited utilization certificate will be    furnished by the Society in respect of Grant-  in-aid released to the Society during a    particular year by 15th April of next year, as    per form in Annexure-B, to the sanctioning    authority, who will furnish the same to the Accountant General HP. The account in respect of the Grant-in-aid released to the Society for PFM activities during a particular   year, under various PFM schemes, will be   furnished by the DFO to the Accountant    General (Audit) Hp by the end of September    of the next/ following year of sanction of    Grant-in-aid. The PFM  account of the Society will be audited by a qualified Accountant, or     any other agency approved by the   government, before, December next, in order   to ensure proper utilization of the amount of    the Grant-in-aid released by the department of      the Society. Thereafter the Society will submit one copy of the audited utilization certificate   in respect  of each project activity to the DFO.  The quarterly installment in respect of the Grant-in-aid for a particular year will be     released by the DFO on the basis of un-audited utilization certificate furnished by the   Society.
Miscellaneous                     7                   In order to ascertain the utilization of funds    released to Societies by DFOs under various    microplan activities, the Conservators shall prescribed     format to the Addl. PCCF.PFM.  The expenditure on account of payment of    Grant-in-aid is to be charged under Head 2406
Head of Account                 8

Forestry & Wildlife (Plan(-01-Forestry-800    Other Expenditure-06-SOON & 06-SOOS-  under those schemes as may be included under    PFM.

 

By Order

Principal Secretary(Forests)

to the Government of HP.