The District Innovation and Challenge Fund (DICF) Initiative is Voluntary Initiative Specifically for the districts of Arunachal Pradesh to promote innovation & to make these districts competitive and to fill the infrastructural gap. It motivates Deputy Commissioners to conceptualize, design and execute innovative solutions that have a large socio-economic repercussion in their districts. The scheme is for development in a sustainable and community driven way and for developing partnership between the State Government and local people.
Objectives
- Encourage innovation in solving critical infrastructural challenges in districts.
- Foster competitiveness among Deputy Commissioners for effective developmental interventions.
- Promote cutting-edge technology to address district-level issues.
- Enhance community participation in major infrastructure projects.
- Generate employment and ensure revenue generation for the community and the state.
- Improve implementation outcomes of state policies and fund allocations.
Key Benefits
- Innovation: Encourages creative solutions involving cutting-edge technology.
- Employment Impact: Prioritizes projects that create sustainable employment opportunities.
- Sustainability: Focuses on long-term, enduring solutions to district-specific problems.
- Value Addition: Enhances the value of district products, particularly in agriculture, horticulture, textiles, and handicrafts.
- Transparency: Maintains clear funding priorities and processes.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, project proposals must:
- Address a critical district-specific problem or meet a critical community need.
- Demonstrate innovation using cutting-edge technology.
- Create employment and generate revenue.
- Add value to district products, especially in agriculture, horticulture, textiles, and handicrafts.
- Ensure community involvement and participation.
- Be planned and budgeted realistically with clearly defined deliverables.
Assessment Criteria
- Innovation (40% weightage): Projects should demonstrate unique and creative solutions to critical district problems.
- Project Planning (20% weightage): Clear goals, achievable timelines, and collaborative partnerships are essential.
- Budget (20% weightage): The budget must align with the scope and scale of the project.
- Social Impact (10% weightage): Proposals should generate employment and revenue and outline community engagement plans.
- Sustainability (10% weightage): Projects should include a sustainability plan for continued impact post-funding.
Exclusions
The following projects are ineligible for funding:
- Routine infrastructure projects or gap-funding for ongoing projects.
- One-off events such as festivals or workshops.
- Projects with a solely religious focus.
- Duplications of existing state or central government initiatives.
- Submissions made after the deadline.
Application Process
Mode: Offline
Steps to Apply:
- Proposal Submission:
- Prepare a proposal in the prescribed format, including all required documents.
- Submit the proposal by email, special messenger, or post to:
Secretary (Planning & Investment),
Finance, Planning & Investment Department,
4th Floor, 1st Block, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
- Screening Process:
- Deputy Commissioners present their project proposals to the State-Level Screening Committee.
- Proposals are assessed based on the above criteria.
- Recommendations are made to the Hon’ble Minister of Finance & Planning.
Documents Required
- For Application:
- Supporting evidence of identified needs.
- Detailed budget.
- Non-duplicity certificate.
- Project plan, including land availability and convergence with other schemes.
- Community engagement plan.
- Optional sustainability plan.
- Upon Selection:
- Quarterly progress reports (as per Annex-II).
- Project completion report (as per Annex-III).
- Undertaking by Deputy Commissioners regarding project completion, monitoring, and reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is DICF?
- District Innovation and Challenge Fund aims to promote innovative developmental solutions in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Who can submit proposals?
- Proposals must be submitted by Deputy Commissioners.
- What is the weightage for innovation in proposal assessment?
- Innovation carries 40% weightage in the assessment process.
- Can applications be submitted online?
- No, applications must be submitted offline via email, messenger, or post.
- Are sustainability plans mandatory?
- Sustainability plans are optional but recommended for demonstrating long-term impact.
- Can the project completion date be extended?
- Extensions are subject to State Government approval.
Sources and References
- Guidelines: Proforma for Proposal Submission
- Contact Information:
Finance, Planning & Investment Department,
Arunachal Pradesh Civil Secretariat, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
This scheme reflects Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to fostering innovation and inclusive development through sustainable and impactful projects.