Rural Infrastructure Development Fund

Government of India created the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) in NABARD in 1995-96, with an aim to meet infrastructure deficiency in rural areas.

At present, there are 37 eligible activities under RIDF as approved by Government of India. The eligible activities are classified under three broad categories i.e.

• Agriculture and related sector

• Social sector 

• Rural connectivity

SchemeGuidelines:

RIDF - ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES OF PROJECTS

Agriculture and related sectors (RIDF loan : 95%)

1. Minor Irrigation Projects/ Micro Irrigation
2. Soil Conservation
3. Flood Protection
4. Watershed Development/ Reclamation of waterlogged areas
5. Drainage
6. Forest Development
7. Market Yard, Godown, Mandi, Rural Haat, Marketing Infrastructure
8. Cold storage, Public/ Joint sector cold storage at various exit points
9. Seed/ Agriculture/ Horticulture Farms
10. Plantation and Horticulture
11. Grading/ certifying mechanisms; testing/ certifying laboratories
12. Community irrigation wells for the village as a whole
13. Fishing harbour/ jetties
14. Riverine Fisheries
15. Animal Husbandry
16. Modern Abattoir
17. Medium Irrigation Projects
18. Mini Hydel Projects/ Small Hydel Projects (upto 25 MW)
19. Major Irrigation Projects (already sanctioned and under execution)
20. Village Knowledge Centres
21. Desalination plants in coastal areas
22. Infrastructure for Information Technology in rural areas
23. Infrastructure works related with alternate sources of energy viz. solar, wind etc. and energy conservation
24. 5/10 MW Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant
25. Separate Feeder Line
26. Dedicated Rural Industrial Estates
27. Mechanisation of Farm Operations and related services

Social Sectors (RIDF loan: 85% / Hill States 90%)

1. Drinking Water
2. Infrastructure for Rural Education Institutions
3. Public Health Institutions
4. Construction of toilet blocks in existing schools, specially for girls
5. "Pay & use" toilets in rural areas
6. Construction of Anganwadi Centres
7. Setting up of KVIC industrial estates/ centers
8. Solid Waste Management and Infrastructure works related with sanitation in rural areas

Rural Connectivity (RIDF loan: 80%/ Hill States 90%)

1. Rural Roads
2. Rural Bridges

Eligible Institutions

• State Governments / Union Territories
• State Owned Corporations / State Govt. Undertakings
• State Govt. Sponsored / Supported Organisations
• Panchayat Raj Institutions/Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ NGOs (provided the projects are submitted through the nodal department of State Government, i.e Finance Department)