Mathew C. Kunnumkal, I.A.S.
Dy. Director General
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

(An Organisation of the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India )

Rajendranagar, Hyderaba 500 030( India )

Phone : Off : 4015270, Res : 7741255,

Fax : 040-4015029, Grams : "GRAVIK"

E-mail : Mathew @ nird.ap.nic.in

Ddgnird @ nird.ap.nic.in

No.DMD:UNDP:(SC)2001

December 28, 2001

Dear Dr.P.Shivaramakrishna.

At the instance of Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, the National Institute of Rural Development has taken up a UNDP sponsored sub-project titled "People's Empowerment through Panchayati Raj in Schedule V Areas and Studies on Laws Affecting the Poor". The objectives of the project are to study laws affecting the poor with special reference to Schedule V areas and the Panchayati Raj Institutions, to examine how these laws and institutions impinge upon the lives of the rural poor and to suggest measures to promote people's empowerment and gender equity as well as to bring about transparency in decision making. It is expected that the project would provide material for macro policy interventions in the field of rural development and poverty alleviation. Several core-areas for in depth studies under this project have been identified. We have already awarded seven studies to well established Research Organizations. These studies are at different stages of completion. We intend to take up a few more studies under the sub programme.

1. A Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Director General, NIRD has been constituted to help us in identifying the suitable core areas for studies and to oversee the progress of the project. The Steering Committee comprises representatives of UNDP, Ministry of Rural Development, technical experts, etc. In its last meeting, the Steering Committee decided to expand is membership so as to get more valuable suggestions for the project. Considering your long experience and expertise in the subject, it has been decided to include you as a member of the Steering Committee. We shall highly appreciate if you kindly give your consent to be a member of the Steering Committee.

Your early response will facilitate us in taking further action in this matter.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,

MATHEW C KUNNUMKAL

DR. P. Sivaramakrishna

SHAKTI

305, Janapriya Abodes,

Gandhinagar,

HYDERABAD - 500 080 (Andhra Pradesh)