Tamilnadu Corporation for Development of Women Ltd

In our endeavor to operationalise the charter, the following methodology is being adopted:
1. For the benefit of the public, district-wise details about schemes implemented by the Corporation is available at the Internet Website- http://www.tamilnaduwomen.org/.

2. Clear and standardized formats have been designed as follows:

Application by agencies to be considered for any kind of funding from DeW;
Checklist for ensuring that all information required and enclosures to be attached by the applicant agency are given;
Checklist for internal file processing;
Standard Replies to commonly sought information.

3. NGOs / Training Institutions who have received funds in the past and who are still associated with DeW are graded periodically on the basis of clear indicators. The list of NGOs / Training Institutions black-listed by Social Welfare Board and other government agencies are regularly updated and cross verified before any new sanction is made. This is done to eliminate NGOs with an unsatisfactory record and improve service delivery to our clients.

4. Most of our projects involve partnership with NGOs. Standard procedures for screening NGOs and regular grading have been put in place. Assessment of capacity of NGOs is done by a team, including an external expert, for taking decisions on proposals received. This has been done to ensure expert opinion and to eliminate individual bias.

5. NGOs and training institutions working with DeW are consulted in formulation of action plans. A participatory approach is followed for setting goals/targets for various schemes.

6. NGOs, by training poor women, make them creditworthy borrowers, and thereby endeavor to continuously reduce transaction costs for both lenders and borrowers. Our other major partner - banks, provide vital access to credit to poor women. Monthly Head Office meetings and bi-monthly programme implementation review meetings, in addition to a regular MIS, have enabled us to focus on major issues and field problems and to take quick action. District Project Coordination Committees (DPCC) headed by District Collectors monitor and review the progress under Mahalir Thittam. Block-level Coordination Committees (BLCC) will serve as a vital platform for problem-solving and sharing of experience and training for SHG representatives, bankers and NGOs.

7. A monthly magazine "Mutram" is published for use of our clients and partners. Mutram serves as a useful platform for disseminating information on best practices in SHG management, achievements of good SHGs and useful information on functional literacy, environmental issues, gender issues, etc. for benefit of our clients. Preparation of video films on success stories, training, etc. are under progress.

8. Standard information about our programmes and background is now available. Depending on the nature of interest in the Corporation's programmes, the public / clientele have access to the "Brochure", "Folder" or "Schemes Book". The "Schemes Book" in particular, gives detailed information that enables applicants to decide on the schemes they wish to apply for based on eligibility criteria.

9. To ensure effective field implementation of the programmes sanctioned by the Corporation, the Officers of this Corporation undertake regular visits to field units to meet our clientele and partners to identify problems and sort them out.

10. Annual property-return filing has been introduced for all the Corporation staff from the year ending December'96.

11. Annual performance appraisal for officers/staff has been introduced from 1998-99 to encourage better performance.

12. A regular programme of monitoring and evaluation by Zonal Officers, through visits to Project Implementation Units in all districts has been introduced. Zonal Officers are shuffled across districts to get a fresh and unbiased view of progress.

13. Instead of individual decisions, the Corporation has put in place committees of not less than three officers to give recommendations in the case of purchases, monitoring, staffing and other issues, as we firmly believe in synergy and considered decision-making . This also helps remove bias and ensures that no personal interests come into play.

14. The details of the schemes of the Corporation are displayed at the offices of District Collector and Project Officer, DeW to enable women who need assistance to have access to them.

15. A lot of in-house training has been and is being given to Corporation officers and staff so that the officials and staff of the Corporation are updated with latest trends, while also broadening their perspective and sensitizing them to the needs of our clientele and partners.

16. Time limits for various activities of the Corporation are given under "Our Service Standards" at the end of this charter. In addition, any further clarifications can be obtained by contacting the Managing Director, Executive Director or General Manager in person, on telephone or through a letter.

17. We will ensure implementation of the Right to Information Act and the attendant regulations in order to rise to the highest levels of transparency in public service. As a consequence the Executive Director of this Corporation and Project Officers have been designated as "Competent Authority" for Head office and District offices respectively under the Act with a mandate to provide information sought by any member of the public in the manner guaranteed under the Act. Appeal against the orders of the Executive Director/Project Officers will lie with the Managing Director of DeW.

18.An Information and Facilitation counter at PMU is being manned by PA to CMD/ED. Necessary information in the form of brochures and booklets are being made available to all interested persons at the counter or by the concerned section head. The Assistant Project Officer (Admin. & Accounts) in each District Office will serve as Information & Facilitation Officer and will ensure that correct information is provided politely and promptly to NGOs, other partners, clients or any member of the public visiting our offices.

VII. TAMIL NADU CORPORATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN

Corporation manage the following schemes:
1. Mahalir Thittam (MaThi ) - a project to socially and economically empower poor women in partnership with NGOs and Banks. This scheme has been extended to all 30 districts and urban areas and city corporations also.
2. Vocational Training Programmes -
(a) Under DeW or Government of Tamil Nadu schemes, poor women are trained in a trade and assisted in placement in a related job subsequently, in partnership with reputed training institutions.
(b) SHG women are trained in a trade suited for them with the help of training institutions, in order to earn their living wages.
(c) Under NORAD/STEP schemes funded by Govt. of India, which offer vast scope for implementing a variety of training programmes, we play a major role by processing proposals on behalf of Government of India.
3. Entrepreneurship Development Programme - to train women in the art of entrepreneurship and starting small enterprises, preferably those who are first generation entrepreneurs
4. Women's Recreation Centers - The Women Recreation Centers are created for the rural SHGs members to meet together, interact and discuss their own problems , read new papers , magazines etc. ,
5. Free LPG connection to newly married couples Below Poverty line - To provide relief to women folk from the drudgery of cooking with fire wood, to improve their health and to relieve them from the ordeal of fetching fire wood especially during the difficult days the Government have formulated and implemented this new scheme from the year 2001-2002.
6. Community Resource Centers / District level Training cum marketing cnentres - These centers are created to impart skill / EDP Training to the SHG members and to provide internet browsing facilities to the down trodden & SC/ST girls besides marketing the SHG produces.

VIII.Corporation's Service Standards

I. PROJECT - NORAD/STEP/VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES:

Sl.No.	Items	Time limit for reply to be sent (No. of Working days)
I.	All Schemes
1.1	For proposals received in full shape-Table scrutiny & acknowledgement to the organisation at the superintendent-level using checklist.	5 days
1.2	If additional particulars are required in the proposal based on checklist-letter to applicant organisation.	5 days
2.	NORAD/STEP
2.1	Joint Pre-Appraisal from POs/ZOs to Head Office, based on inspection and checklist after proposal is received in full shape.	45 days
2.2	Sending to Government of India	30 days
2.3	Execution of Bond/Agreement by the Corporation with NGO on receipt of sanction proceedings from GOI & execution by NGO.	15 days
2.4	Execution of Bond/Agreement by DeW with GOI after receipt of executed agreement from NGO/Training Institution	15 days
2.5	Release of funds to NGOs through DeW 1st instalment on completion of beneficiaries selection. Intimation from the NGO/Training Institution with advance stamped receipt and fulfilment of other formalities.	15 days
2.6	Forwarding of quarterly report/half yearly report to GOI on receipt from the concerned institution	10 days
2.7	Release of funds to NGOs through DeW-2nd instalment based on progress report, U.C. for 1st instalment and receipt of Mid Term Evaluation from PO/ZO and on receipt of advance stamped receipt.	15 days
2.8	Post Evaluation report from PO/ZO	45 days
2.9	Release of funds to NGOs through WDC - 3rd and final payment on completion of the course based on evaluation report from PO/ZO and on receipt of advance stamped receipt and completion of all requirements.	20 days
3.	Vocational Training Programme
3.1	Appraisal & Team Inspection by a team from date of receipt of complete application form with Pos recommendation.	30 days
3.2	Processing for approval/rejection from date of receipt of team inspection report	20 days
3.3	Execution of bond/agreement by DeW after execution by NGO/Training Institution.	15 days
3.4	Release of 40% of 1st instalment on receipt of all details, intimation on commencement from the NGO/Training and on receipt of advance stamped receipt and completion other formalities.	15 days
3.5	Release of 40% of 2nd instalement, on receipt of attendance particulars, raw material vouchers and expenditure details for the 1st instalment, progress of the training and receipt of stamped receipt.	15 days
3.6	Placement verification report to Head Office by PO/ZO on completion of the training programme.	30 days
3.7	3rd and final instalment of 20% on receipt of report of the completion of the training programme, U.C. for the entire amount certified by a Chartered Accountant, course completion report and on receipt of placement verification from PO/ZO and advance stamped receipt.	20 days
3.8	Stipendary courses-Release of funds to the NGOs/ institution on receipt of intimation for commencement training programme, attendance and acquitance, stamped receipt in respect of instructor's salary vouchers for the purchase of raw materials with stamped receipt.	15 days
3.9	Stipendary courses-Post Evaluation report from PO regarding verification of placement arranged for women trained by NGOs/Training institutions.	30 days
3.10	Stipendiary courses-final settlement on receipt of U.C for the entire amount sanctioned duly certified by a Chartered Accountant, course completion report, attendance, acquittance, advance-stamped claim along with the receipt of placement verification report from the PO/ZO.	20 days
	II. PROJECTS - MAHALIR THITTAM - PROJECT MANAGMENT UNIT:
Sl.No.	Items	Time limit for reply to be sent (No. of Working days)
1.	a) Claims/Bills: For claims/bills in order with all supporting documents, the payment to be made from the date of receipt of claims.	10 days
	b) If claims are not in order, the claim will be returned from the date of receipt of claims.	5 days
2.	Clarifications / Grievances/ Correspondence from NGOs - Acknowledgement	3 days
3.	Correspondence from NGOs/PIUs - Reply	15 days
4.	NGO inspection based on willingness letter/proposal received in full shape from Project Office.	30 days
5.	TOT programmes/workshops conducted by and organised by PMU/PIU - payment to NGOs	Last day of programme
6.	Submission of Team Inspection Reports on return of officers after inspection	1 day
7.	Approval/Rejection of NGO proposal after receipt in full shape after Team inspection report	15 days
8.	Additional particulars sought in NGO's proposal - Letter to Project Office - from receipt of proposal at PMU	7 days
	III. MAHALIR THITTAM-PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION UNIT:
Sl. No.	Items	Time limit for reply to be sent (No. of Working days)
1.	Training and workshop-claims from NGOs-for claims including advances where requisition is in order with supporting documents - from date of receipt of claims	7 days
2.	TOT programmes/workshops conducted by and organised by PMU/PIU - Payment to NGOs	Last day of the programme
3.	NGO support costs-Based on group formation and grading exercise reports received	30 days.
4.	Correspondence from NGOs-Acknowledgement	3 days
5.	Correspondence from NGOs-Reply	7 days
6.	Funds requirement-To be sent to Head Office	Before 7th of every month
7.	Expenditure statement with pending advances-report to Head Office.	By 3rd of every month
8.	Progress report to Head Office.	By 3rd of every month
9.	Inspection of NGOs/Training Institutes - on receipt of complete proposals	10 days
10.	Processing and forwarding of NGO proposals to PMU after inspection date.	4 days
	11. Reply to reports called from PMU - from date of receipt of PIU	7 days
	IV. PRESS-GUINDY / SIVAKASI:
Sl. No.	Items	Time limit for reply to be sent (No. of Working days)
1.	Enquiry about activities of the press
	a. In person	Immediate response by Manager/Supdt.
	b. By Post - from date of receipt 4 days
2.	Enquiry regarding Rates / Quotation sought for Printing Orders - from date of receipt of letter on stipulated time	3 days
3.	Printing of various items
	a) Visiting Cards - from date of strike order	3 days
	b) Letter Heads from the date of strike order	7 days
	c) Others	Based on work orders on hand and time required for the job
4.	Purchases-Settlement of bills from the date of receipt of materials	10 days
	V. ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION:
Sl.No.	Items	Time limit for reply to be sent (No. of Working days)
1.	Employment requests	7 days
2.	CM Cell petitions	7 days
3.	Information requests on Guidelines by post	7 days
4.	Other representations	15 days
5.	Information Booklets/Brochures/Application forms sought in person at PIU or PMU	Within 15 minutes

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