Janmabhoomi programme initiated by Nara Chandrababu Naidu has broadly three objectives, ‘Prajala Vaddaku Palana’ (administration to the doorsteps of the people), ‘Shramadanam’ (donation of labour) and ‘Micro-level planning’. Among these objectives, the first two have been in existence at the time of start of Janmabhoomi programme on January 1st, 1997, with the inclusion of Micro-Level Planning.
The programme, Prajala Vaddaku Palana (PVP) inaugurated on October 2nd, 1995, was intended to bridge the gap between the common man and the state administration. It is a two-way process of state officials understanding the problems of the people through direct contact and the common man getting an opportunity to represent his problems and grievances directly to the officials. In fact, the entire state administration, including the ministers, district collectors and the revenue officers and development functionaries are mobilised on a large scale to meet the people in Gram Sabhas, discuss the problems confronting them, receive representations concerning community problems as well as individual grievances and try to find solutions for the same. This programme has been implemented three times in November, December of 1995 and February 1996, before inclusion in Janmabhoomi programme. The main intention of this programme has been to promote confidence among people towards bureaucracy and government through visiting villages.
The second aspect of Janmabhoomi, Shramadanam, which has been regarded by government as the logical outcome of PVP, has been inaugurated on January 1st , 1996. The government opined that during the course of PVP rounds, the people at large showed interest to participate through contribution of labour and donations in the execution of works identified by them. Consequently, ‘Shramadanam’ programme started.
There have been reports of “spontaneous response to the programme from the people, by participating in the works like repairing irrigation canals, school buildings, roads, silted water tanks, construction of compound walls”. This programme has been held two rounds in January and July of 1996 before its inclusion in Janmabhoomi programme.
The third objective of Janmabhoomi, Micro-Level Planning, has been included in the inaugural phase of Janmabhoomi on January 1st, 1997. This is mainly intended to acknowledge the people to identify and prioritise their problems through conducting Gram Sabhas. With the experience of PVP and Shramadanam, the need to prioritise problems in terms of their importance and cumulative benefit with reference to an estimate of local resources, both of manpower and materials was felt.
A booklet released by A.P. Government on the occasion of inauguration of Janmabhoomi referred to some of the related constitutional efforts towards Micro-Level Planning. It said, “the strengthening of local bodies through 73rd and 74th amendments have underlined the need of Micro-Level Planning strategies”.
In Janmabhoomi programme, people’s participation is identified as essential to all developmental activities. It was felt that the need to internalise the values of sacrifice, hard work, diligence, discipline, honesty, self-respect and the quest for excellence by the people and all institutions.