There are about 6 habitations on an average for each Village Panchayat in Tamil Nadu with 79,394 habitations in 12,524 Village Panchayats. However, the number of habitations varies from District to district. The average number of habitations in a Village Panchayat in The Nilgiris District is 37 whereas it is only 3 in Villupuram District. Therefore, allocation of equal amount to all the Village Panchayats, with varied number of habitations, has led to disparity in development, disproportionate distribution of assets and uneven progress. The THAI scheme has come as boon with the aim of extending the basic facilities to the grass root habitation.

There are 12,524 Village Panchayats in the State spread across the 31 Districts (except Chennai). As can be seen from the following table, the population of Village Panchayats in Tamil Nadu varies widely with some Village Panchayats having population even below 500 while some others have population exceeding 10,000.

Classification of Village Panchayats on the basis of Population (2001 census)

Considering the number of habitations, the Village Panchayats are classified as below:

Classification of Village Panchayats on the Basis of Number of Habitations

1.1 Fund Allocation
          There is a positive correlation between the population of a Village Panchayat and the number of habitations within it. The following table also exhibits the same facts.

Funds requirement for THAI Scheme

The requirement of a Village Panchayat will be more if it has more number of habitations.  Taking this concept into consideration, the Village Panchayats have been grouped into 5 categories based on the number of habitations for the purpose of allocation of funds.  Thus, Village Panchayats with more number of habitations and having a larger population shall receive more funds.  The above table clearly depicts the fund requirement for all the 12,524 Village Panchayats. Thus the habitations in all the Village Panchayats in Tamil Nadu were covered at a total cost of Rs.3,680 crores.

1.2 Scheme Components
          Works under THAI Scheme are categorised into three as tabulated below:

1.3 Minimum Basic Requirements

1.3.1 Water Supply
           Drinking water supply works like provision of power pump, extension of pipeline, augmentation of existing source shall be taken up depending upon the requirement.

1.3.2 Street Lights
           New streetlights will be provided in the new habitations, extension areas, Adi-Dravidar & Tribal habitations and IAY housing colonies, based on the actual needs. Additional street lights, including solar powered lights will be provided in the areas where the existing coverage is felt inadequate.

1.3.3  Cement Concrete Roads
          Pavements with residential units on sides, streets or lanes prone to water logging, part of the uncovered portion where a portion of the street has already been covered with cement concrete, will be taken up on priority.
1.3.4 Link Roads
          Link roads will cover bus-plying roads, upgradation of WBM roads to BT roads connecting two or more habitations in the same Panchayat and upgradation of earthen/gravel roads.

1.3.5  Cremation / Burial Grounds
Each burial ground / cremation ground will be provided with approach road, compound wall, cremation shed, water facility and lights.
1.3.6  Pathway to Burial Ground
Wherever the pathway is already available, improvement of the existing pathway will be taken up and wherever pathway is not available, top priority will be given to provide approach road or pathway.
          The additional requirements and other permitted works will be taken up based on the need and necessity. Apart from THAI, the scheme will be implemented by dovetailing funds, from various schemes of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Department and schemes of other Departments.

1.3.7 Scheme Implementation

• The Scheme was implemented in 5 phases from 2011-12 to 2015-16.
• During 2011-12, a total of 25,335 habitations in 2,020 Village Panchayats were selected for implementation with an annual allocation of Rs. 680 crore.
• During 2012-13, this programme was implemented in 18,581 habitations of 2,250 Village Panchayats with an annual allocation of Rs.750 crore.
• The remaining habitations were covered as described below:

• Thus, all the 79,394 Habitations in all 12,524 Village Panchayats were provided with all basic amenities by 2015-16.

1.3.8   Scheme Implementation during   2011-12 & 2012-13
          To ascertain the availability of basic needs and to assess further requirement of basic infrastructure in these habitations a detailed survey was conducted for taking up works for the years 2011-12 and 2012-13.  25,335 habitations located in 2,020 Village Panchayats and 18,581 habitations located in 2,250 Village Panchayats were taken up for implementation during 2011-12 & 2012-13 respectively and an online database has been created (www.tnrd.gov.in).
          This is a unique survey conducted for the first time in the country assessing the actual availability of facilities at the habitation level and the actual needs to be fulfilled at the micro level.
          The survey consists of the following set of 12 formats which assessed the availability of basic needs of water supply, street lights, roads and other infrastructure facilities and further requirements at the habitation level.

1. Basic details of the habitation
2. Water supply
   (a)  Over Head Tanks
   (b)  Mini Power Pumps
   (c)  Ground Level Reservoirs
   (d) Hand Pumps
3. Street Lights
4. Streets and Lanes
5. Burial / Cremation Grounds
6. (a) All Buildings belonging to Government / Local Body Institutions (except School Buildings)
   (b) All School Buildings belonging to Government / Local Body Institutions
7. Ponds and Ooranies
8. Playgrounds
9. Bus Stands
10. Shandies
11. Details of Self Help Groups
12. (a) Village Panchayat Roads
    (b) Panchayat Union Roads
             Based on the detailed survey for the years 2011-12 & 2012-13 conducted in 25,335 habitations of 2,020 Village Panchayats and 18,581 Habitations of 2,250 Village Panchayats respectively, detailed action plan has been drawn and the minimum basic requirements, additional essential requirements and other requirements have been fulfilled  with the available funds.
    Apart from THAI scheme, works have been dovetailed by utilizing funds of various Rural Development schemes like MLACDS, MPLADP, 13th Finance Commission Grant, etc.

1.3.9 Scheme Implementation during  2013-14   

• THAI Scheme was implemented in 15,115 habitations of 2,500 Village Panchayats with an allocation of Rs.750 crore. Out of this, Rs.680 crore was earmarked for fulfilling the basic needs. Additional Rs.70 crore was earmarked to improve Panchayat Union Roads which run through or in the vicinity of the THAI villages of 2013-14.

1.3.10 Scheme Implementation during  2013-14 & 2015-16   

• THAI Scheme was implemented in 12,095 habitations of 2,741 Village Panchayats for the year 2014-15 and 8,268 habitations of 3,013 Village Panchayats with an allocation of Rs.750 crore per year.
• Out of this, Rs.680 crore was earmarked for fulfilling the basic needs. Additions Rs.70 crore was earmarked to improve Panchayat Union Roads which run through or in the vicinity of the THAI Villages.