Krishak Bandhu Scheme 2026

The District Innovation and Challenge Fund (DICF) aims to boost innovation and competitiveness among Deputy Commissioners for Read More... developmental projects and critical infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh. Read less

Details

The Arunachal Pradesh government has launched the District Innovation and Challenge Fund (DICF) to encourage fresh ideas and competitive spirit in district-level development. This initiative by the Finance, Planning, and Investment Department is designed to bring novel approaches to how essential infrastructure is planned and built.

What Is This Scheme?

The District Innovation and Challenge Fund (DICF) is a special fund set up by the Arunachal Pradesh government. Its main goal is to motivate Deputy Commissioners to come up with innovative solutions for district development. It's all about finding new ways to design, plan, and implement crucial infrastructure projects, often using the latest technology to fill gaps.

Who Can Benefit From This Scheme?

This scheme is primarily for districts within Arunachal Pradesh, with a focus on empowering Deputy Commissioners to lead innovative projects. It also aims to foster strong partnerships between the state government and local communities, encouraging greater community involvement and participation in development efforts.

Why This Scheme Is Important

DICF plays a vital role in ensuring that state policies and funds lead to tangible, effective results. By promoting competition and innovation, it aims to improve the quality of developmental interventions, create sustainable solutions to local problems, and ultimately benefit the communities by adding value to local products and ensuring better livelihoods.

Objective

The District Innovation and Challenge Fund (DICF) aims to boost innovation and competitiveness among Deputy Commissioners for developmental projects and critical infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh.

Benefits

Direct Income Support

Farmers with one acre or more of cultivable land receive ₹10,000/- per annum, payable in two equal installments of ₹5,000/- each (one for Kharif and one for Rabi season).
Farmers with less than one acre of cultivable land receive assistance on a pro-rata basis, subject to a minimum of ₹4,000/- per annum, paid in two equal installments.

Death/Disability Benefit

In the event of the death of a farmer between the ages of 18 and 60 years, a one-time lump sum grant of ₹2,00,000/- is provided to the legal heirs of the deceased. The farmer must have been enrolled under the Krishak Bandhu scheme at the time of death.

A one-time lump sum grant of ₹2,00,000/- for permanent disability of the farmer due to accident.

Disbursement Conditions

Income support is linked to land ownership records.
Death benefit requires submission of legal heir certificates.
Disbursed via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to the beneficiary's bank account.

Sources and references

Guideline

Who Can Apply?

Project proposals submitted under this fund must meet the following criteria:

The project must be innovative and demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking, effectively solving a critical problem or fulfilling a significant need, potentially involving unique or cutting-edge technology.
Projects should directly address a district's specific problems or leverage its existing potential for community benefit.
Proposals must clearly show how the project will create employment opportunities within the district and contribute to revenue generation for both the community and the State.
The project must present a new, creative, or innovative approach to tackling existing district challenges.
It should aim to add value to the district's current goods and products, leading to better remuneration, particularly for those in agriculture, horticulture, textiles, and handicraft sectors.

How Proposals Are Assessed

The evaluation of project proposals considers the following aspects:

Innovation (40% weightage): Assesses the uniqueness of the intervention, its ability to solve critical needs, and the use of advanced technology.
Project Planning (20% weightage): Evaluates the clarity of the identified need, project goals, achievable timelines, and potential for collaborative partnerships.
Budget (20% weightage): Checks if the budget is realistic, aligned with the project's scope, and if necessary documentation like DPR and quotes are provided.
Social Impact (10% weightage): Examines the project's potential to generate employment, its revenue-generating capacity, and the level of community participation and engagement.
Sustainability (10% weightage): Looks at the plans for continuous improvement and the project's long-term viability beyond the initial funding period.

How to Submit Your Proposal

Project proposals are to be submitted by the concerned Deputy Commissioners. The submission can be made via:

Email: Send your proposal to the designated email address.
Special Messenger or Post: Deliver the proposal to the following address:
Secretary (Planning & Investment)
Finance, Planning & Investment Department
4th Floor, 1st Block, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh

The Planning Division of the Planning & Finance Department will organize a State Level Screening Committee meeting. Deputy Commissioners will present their project proposals to this committee. Following this, the committee will prioritize proposals and recommend them to the Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Planning.

Important Note: Applications received after the due date will not be considered.

Documents Needed for Proposal Submission

Evidence supporting the identified need for the project.
A detailed budget breakdown for the project.
A comprehensive project plan, including details on land availability and a non-duplicity certificate where applicable.
A convergence plan, outlining how the project will integrate with other Central or State schemes.
A community engagement plan.
A sustainability plan (this is optional).

After Project Selection

Once a project proposal is selected, the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) must submit:

Quarterly Progress Reports (formats are provided).
A Project Completion Report (formats are provided).

Undertaking from DCs

The Deputy Commissioners will be required to sign an undertaking confirming that:

The project will be completed within the timeline specified in the application. Extensions will require State Government approval.
All requested data for monitoring and reporting will be supplied.
There will be no cost overruns; the project must be completed within the allocated budget. The Planning & Finance Department is not liable for budget shortfalls.
The State Government must be acknowledged in all promotional materials related to the project.
A Completion Certificate will be provided at the project's end, fulfilling data collection and financial documentation requirements.

FAQ’s

What is the full name of the DICF scheme?

The full name of the DICF scheme is the "District Innovation and Challenge Fund".

Which department is responsible for managing the District Innovation and Challenge Fund?

The scheme is managed by the Finance, Planning, and Investment Department, specifically the Planning & Investment Division, under the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

What are the main goals of the District Innovation and Challenge Fund?

The core objectives of DICF include fostering a competitive spirit among Deputy Commissioners for development work, bringing innovation to infrastructure planning and implementation, introducing advanced technology to address district needs, encouraging community participation, and ensuring effective policy outcomes.

Are there certain types of projects that get priority under this scheme?

Yes, projects that offer long-term and sustainable solutions to unemployment are given priority.

Does the scheme focus on adding value to local products?

Absolutely. A key focus of DICF is on projects that enhance the value of existing local products and ensure better financial returns for them, especially benefiting sectors like agriculture, horticulture, textiles, and handicrafts.

How much importance is given to innovation and sustainability during project evaluation?

Innovation carries a significant weightage of 40%, while sustainability is assessed with 10% weightage in the evaluation process.

Is submitting a sustainability plan mandatory for all project proposals?

No, the submission of a sustainability plan is optional for project proposals.

What happens after a project proposal is selected?

Following selection, the Deputy Commissioners are required to submit Quarterly Progress Reports and a Project Completion Report.

Can the deadline for completing a project be extended?

District administrations are expected to complete projects within the stipulated time. However, requests for extensions can be considered and require approval from the State Government.

To whom should project proposals be sent, and is online application possible?

Project proposals should be submitted by the concerned Deputy Commissioners via email or post to the Secretary (Planning & Investment) at the Finance, Planning & Investment Department's address in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The scheme does not explicitly mention online applications.

What is the official address of the Finance, Planning & Investment Department in Arunachal Pradesh?

The address is: Finance, Planning & Investment Department, 4th Floor, 1st Block, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.

Where can I find the format for the Quarterly Progress Report?

The proforma for the Quarterly Progress Report is available in Annex II of the scheme guidelines.

Who chairs the meeting of the State-Level Screening Committee?

The Planning Division of the Planning & Finance Department will convene and organize the State Level Screening Committee meeting.

Will Deputy Commissioners need to present their project proposals?

Yes, Deputy Commissioners will be required to make a detailed presentation of their project proposals to the State Level Screening Committee.

What happens to the project proposals after they are reviewed by the committee?

The State Level Screening Committee will prioritize the project proposals and make suitable recommendations to the Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Planning.