KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY DISTRICT HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT KANCHEEPURAM DISTRICT

Introduction  Kancheepuram district was initially known as district. It was bifurcated on 18-11-1997 into Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Kancheepuram town, known as the city of thousand temples, is the headquarters of the district.  Kancheepuram is a unique district, with a long and glorious cultural and historical background. It is known for its silk sarees and traditional handloom-weaved fabrics. Being close to the growing metropolis of , the district is showing very impressive growth in the industrial and services sector.  For administrative reasons, the district has been divided into 4 revenue divisions comprising of 11 taluks with 1,137 revenue villages. For development reasons, it is divided into 13 development blocks with 648 Village Panchayats.  The district has 24 town panchayats and 10 municipalities.  In the last decades, many villages and municipalities within the district have been subsumed under the Greater Chennai Agglomeration and are now a part of the fast expanding Chennai city suburban areas.

1 Geography

 The district is situated on the east coast of . It is bordered on the east by the Bay of Bengal, by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai Districts on the west, by Chennai city and Tiruvallur district on the north and Villupuram district on the south.  It lies between 11° 00' to 12° 00’ North latitudes and 77° 28' to 78° 50' East longitudes. Situated at a distance of 76 km from Chennai, the district is well connected by road and rail.  At present, Chengalpattu is the headquarters of the of the Kancheepuram district and is 55km southwest of the State capital, Chennai on the National Highway 45. The district has a total geographical area of 4433 sq. km and coastline of 87.2 km.  Palar is the main river and is not perennial. Cheyyar and Vegavathy rivers are tributaries of Palar and join it at Thirumakkudal.

Topography

 The major part of the area is characterised by topography with innumerable depressions, which are used as irrigation tanks.  Three beach terraces ranging in elevation between 4 mark the coastal tract and 12 m with broad inter-terrace depressions.

2  The coastal plain displays a fairly low level or gently rolling surface and only slightly elevated.  The straight trend of the coastline is a result of development of a vast alluvial plain. There are a number of sand dunes in the coastal tract. The coastal landforms include estuarine tidal, mud flats or lagoons salt marsh. Soil Condition  The soil is generally low in nitrogen and potassium and high in phosphorus. The status of micronutrients is critical and deficiency in zinc, iron and copper is noticed in many villages.  There are different kinds of soil conditions - Red Soil in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, , Thirukalukundram, , Cheyyur, Brown Soil in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Uthiramerur, Thirukalukundram, Maduranthakam, Cheyyur.  Mixed Soil is found in Chengalpattu, Cheyyur, Kancheepuram, Black Soil in Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, Uthiramerur, Thirukalukundram,Maduranthakam, Cheyyur and Alluvial Soil in Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Cheyyur. Climate

 Kancheepuram district enjoys a tropical climate, hot and humid most of the period of

3 the year. It benefits both from the south-west and north-east monsoons; however, the major rainfall is during the north-east monsoon season from October end to December. Status of Human Development

 The top five blocks in human development Index in the district are: St. Thomas Mount (0.752) Kattankolathur (0.682) (0.654) (0.630) and Thiruporur (0.572).  The bottom five blocks in the district are : (0.375) Madurantakam (0.387) Uthiramerur (0.393) Wallajabad (0.415) and Lathur (0.477).  There are wide variations in HDI across the 13 blocks in the district.  The overall HDI reveals that seven out of 13 blocks have HDI values higher than 0.50, while the other six blocks have HDI values lower than 0.50.  Even though, for historical reasons, the blocks at the bottom are industrially backward, that is not the justification for them to perform low on delivery of health services as well as education.  The GII value ranges from 0 to I, the higher the value, the more inequality it shows. The top five blocks that have lower gender inequality are: Lathur (0.006) Chithamour

4 (0.012), Sriperumbudur (0.024) Madurantakam (0.032) and Kundrathur (0.38).  The bottom five blocks with higher gender inequality are Kancheepuram (0.082). St. Thomas Mount (0.077). Thirukalukundram (0.072), Uthiramerur (0.069) and Kattankolathur (.057).  It is interesting to note that Lathur scores very well on gender empowerment. It has the lowest GII (O.006) because, the female worker participation rate in is high and the representation of women in Rural Local Bodies is also comparatively higher.  The female worker participation rate for non – agricultural sector is high in backward blocks. Lathur had the lowest MMR for the year 2013-14.  Chithamour and Lathur blocks had low gender inequality for the main reason that there is high degree of political participation of women at the Panchayat level.  It is encouraging to note that in 9 out of 13 blocks, the CDI value is more than 0.500.The top 5 blocks in CDI in the district are 1. Sriperumbudur (0.801) 2. Kundrathur (0.723) 3. St. Thomas Mount (0.664) 4. Thiruporur (0.626) and 5. Kattankolathur (0.610).  The bottom 5 blocks in CDI in the district are: Wallajabad (0.349). Uthiramerur (0.368).

5 Lathur (0.380). Maduranthakam (0.416) and Kancheepuram (0.518).The top 5 blocks in CDI are also the top 5 blocks in HDI.  The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is calculated on the basis of indicators reflecting the dimensions of health, education and living standard.The top five blocks, where the multidimensional poverty is low are St. Thomas Mount (0.278) Kancheepuram (0.316). Kundrathur (0.356) Kattankulathur (0.402) and Thiruporur (0. 434).  The bottom five blocks where the multidimensional poverty is high are (0.767) Acharapakkam (0.711) Madurantakam (0.660) Thirukalukundram (0.639) and Chithamour (0.597). Employment Income and Poverty  Inadequate opportunity for gainful employment leads to lowering of income levels, consequently driving the people into poverty.  The Total workers in Kancheepuram district increased from 11.33 lakh in 2001 to 18.32 lakh in 2011. That means an increase of nearly 7 lakh.  The Work Participation Rate of the district increased from 39.79 percent in 2001 to 41.86 percent in 2011.  The main workers increased from 9.14 lakh in 2001 to 14.77 lakh in 2011.

6  Across the blocks, Madurantakam, Kancheepuram, Wallajabad, St. Thomas Mount and Acharapakkam witnessed a large increase in marginal workers during 2001 to 2011.  The non – workers increased from 17.44 lakh in 2001 to 21.66 lakh in 2011.  The rural WPR in the district in 2011 (46.46) was higher than that of the urban WPR (39.22) during that year.  The female WPR in 2011 was 24.81 and it is less than half of the male WPR (58.69) during the same year.  The data relating to sectoral composition of workers reveals that ‘’household industries and other workers” account for the bulk of employment. There has been an increase in this segment from 75.4% in 2001 to 85.8% in 2011.  In the case of primary sector, the proportion of workers employed declined from 24.7% in 2001 to 14.2% in 2011.  There was decline in the percentage of cultivators as well as agricultural labourers during 2001 and 2011. Possible reduction in cultivable lands influenced by land conversion to real estate business, failure of monsoon can be attributed for the change.  Migrants, both intra – State and inter – State may have contributed to the increase in working population.

7  According to the land use pattern, Kancheepuram district has a higher land use for non –agricultural purpose; only 28% of the land is utilized for agriculture. The Percentage of barren and uncultivable land is minimal at 3% while fallow lands (current and other) are around 24%.  Child labour has come down in Kancheepuram district owing to the implementation of many programmes by the Government (e.g., The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) was started by the Union Ministry of labour and Employment with the ultimate aim of completely eradicating the practice of child labour).  Child Labour Protection Committee was formed in the district with the Project Director (District Rural Development Authority) as Secretary. During 2006-7, 586 children were mainstreamed. But the number came down to 122 in 2013-14.  It is encouraging to note that at present 425 children are enrolled in NCLP’s Special Training Centres in Kancheepuram district.  Trade unions, more number of NGOs, employers and the civil society may be involved in addressing this issue.  For those registered with District Employment office, the percentage of placements is very low in the district. During the period 2007 to 2014, the average percentage of placement is 2.58 only.

8  The per capita income of the district has been consistently higher than that of the State during the period 2008-09 to 2011-12. In 2011-12, the per capita income of the district was Rs.92713, whereas the per capita income of the State in that year was Rs. 63996.  The MGNREGA is a pioneering employment guarantee scheme in independent . As on March 2013, 67.4% of households in Kancheepuram were registered under this programme. Nearly four lakh persons were employed under this scheme in the district.  Larger Participation of women in MGNREGA programme in the district is noteworthy.  In Kancheepuram district, in 2012-13, 43 percent of BPL households were there.The district planning, in future, should focus on the blocks with higher percentage of BPL households.  Public distribution system of food grains through ration shops with the provision of ration cards assumes importance from food security dimension. By 2013-14, 6,57,764 households were provided with family cards in the eight taluks of Kancheepuram district. Demography, Health and Nutrition

 Population and Demographic Transition: According to 2011 Census, the urban population of Kancheepuram district constituted 63.41% and rural population was 36.5%.

9  The population of the district registered a growth of 39 percent during 2001 and 2011.  Kundrathur, Thiruporur and St. Thomas Mount blocks registered a growth of 77.8% 46.4% and 62.3% respectively in the last decade. To understand this phenomenon, we may have to factor in in-migration of workers from other districts of the State as well as the other States.  Acharapakkam and Lathur blocks experienced negative trend (-10.1 and -10.5 respectively). This may be attributed to out- migration from the blocks.  The population density of the district increased from 668 in 2001 to 892 in 2011. It is higher than that of the State, which increased from 480 in 2001 to 555 in 2011.  The Crude Birth Rate of the district was 16.3 and it was higher than that of the State (15.9)  The Crude Death Rate of the district was 3.5 and it was almost half of the State average (7.4).  The Sex Ratio of the district in 2011 was 986 and it is lower than that of the State (996) during the same year.  The Child Sex Ratio of the district which was 961 in 2001 increased to 967 in 2011.  The life expectancy at birth in the district (73.8) during 2013-14 was slightly higher than that of the State (73.4).

10  The Infant Mortality Rate of the district (10) is half of the IMR of the state (21) during 2013- 14.Of all the blocks, Chithamour had the lowest IMR (2) during 2013-14.  Acharapakkam with IMR 16, Lathur (18), Mathuranthakum (18) and Wallajabad (18) and Kancheepuram (15) are backward in the case of sex ratio as well as child sex ratio. In recent years, attempts have been made to enhance the care of new born to control the neonatal infant mortality through home based care.  The maternal mortality rate shows wide variations across the blocks.The MMR of the district during 2013-14 was 79 It is higher than the State MMR of 68 in that year.  While the MMR of Chithamour (9) and Lathur (10) blocks is very low, the MMR of Kundrathur (104). St. Thomas Mount (110) and Uthiramerur (140) blocks is very high.  The analysis of institutional deliveries reveals that the district has made tremendous progress in increasing the proportion of institutional deliveries.  The district witnessed 100% institutional deliveries during 2013-14. Majority of the deliveries took place in Government Hospital (660), and Primary Health centre (492) and only 148 deliveries took place in private hospitals during 2013-14.

11  Still Birth Rate (SBR) is one of the indicators of maternal health as well as delivery of healthcare services, especially since it relates to appropriate medical interventions that ensure the birth of the infants. The SBR of Kancheepuram district increased from 9.2 in 2012-13 to 11.8 in 2013-14.  Kancheepuram district attained the immunization rate of 99.2% and that is a good sign.  Under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), the children are given adequate nutrition at Anganwadi Centre (AWC). The ICDS scheme monitors the growth and development of children. The ICDS has made an impact on reducing the proportion of moderately and severely undernourished children.  In 2013, 89.07% of children below 5 years who were weighed in the Anganwadis were normal and only 10.93% of children were under - weight.  Across the blocks, in 2013, Sriperumbudur had the highest percentage (96%) of normal children and Chithamour had the lowest percentage (78%) of normal children.  The percentage of malnourished children in the district came down from 11% in 2013 to 5% in 2013.  The district has sizable proportion of migrant population. There is need for bringing the

12 children of the migrants under the ICDS scheme.  During 2012, 94% women and 92% adolescent girls took IFA tablets in Kancheepuram district. The block administration should give more attention to Acharapakkam and Sriperumbudur blocks in distributing IFA tablets to pregnant women and adolescent girls.  At present, there are 2351 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Kancheepuram district and around 1.59 lakh children in the age group between 6 months and 3 years are being looked after under the ICDS.  Safe drinking water and sanitation represent important components of health.  In Kancheepuram district, 86% of habitations are provided with safe drinking water.  During 2013-14, in Kancheepuram district, 48% of households have toilet facilities. In Acharapakkam and Chithamour blocks, only 25% and 29% of households has toilet facility respectively.  Efforts are being made in the district to construct community sanitary complexes, separate toilets in schools for girls, and subsidies for toilet construction in households.  The total number of HIV positive persons in 2013 -14 in the district were 1470.

13  It is important to note that sanatorium in St. Thomas Mount block is an established medical centre for HIV as well as TB.  It is heartening to note that the poor and the marginalized are able to access hospital / healthcare.  There was only marginal decrease in TB cases by 2% during 2007 and 2013. The number of identified cases decreased from 2426 in 2007 to 2213 in 2013.  The highest number of TB cases were found in St. Thomas Mount (205) followed by Kancheepuram (187). Literacy and Education

 The literacy rate of Kancheepuram district increased from 76.85% in 2001 to 84.49% in 2011.  Gender wise, the male and the female literacy rate was 89.89% and 79.02% respectively.  During 2001 to 2011, the gender gap in literacy declined. In 2001, the male and female literacy rate was 84.73% and 68.79% respectively.  Blocks like Kattankolathur, St. Thomas Mount, and Kundrathur which are fast urbanizing have registered higher literacy rates from 85% to 90%.  The district administration has to focus on low performing blocks, namely Acharapakkam,

14 Uthiramerur, Chithamour and Lathur. These blocks show an average literacy rate of about 70%. These blocks need careful planning and implementation strategy.  Elementary education has received greater boost since the initiation of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), which has worked on a mission mode towards the goal of 100% enrolment in primary schools.  The district has been performing well in the field of primary education.  The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) for both boys and girls was above 100% during 2012- 13 and 2013-14.  There are marginal variations in GER at primary level, across the blocks and among the boys and girls.  The completion rate (CR) has consistently remained above 99% in the district in almost all blocks at primary level.  The dropout rate at primary level is minimal and compares favorably with that of the State and of the country.  The Gross Enrolment Rate at upper primary or Middle school education in almost all blocks in the district was above 100% in the district during 2012-13.  The completion rate at upper primary level in the district during 2013 was 94.12.

15  There is not much difference in the completion rate during 2013-14, between boys and girls. For boys, it was 93.63 and for girls, it was 94.61.  The dropout rate during 2013-14 in the district at upper primary level was only 1.08. For boys, it was 0.92 and for girls, it was 1.24.  The district achieved 99.60 percent transition rate from primary to upper primary level by 2012-13. There was not much difference in the transition rate between boys and girls.  The same trend (97.97) was noticed in the transition rate from upper primary to secondary level. There was not much difference between boys and girls in this regard.  During 2013-14, for 4099 habitations in the district, there were 1365primary schools, 1070 upper primary schools.  It is important to note that the total number of primary and upper primary schools in the district increased from 1347 in 2012-13 to 2183 in 2013-14.  There is adequate number of teachers in both primary and upper primary schools with a pupil Teacher Ratio of 24:1 each in 2013 – 14.  The district and block – wise data indicate satisfactory position in pupil - teacher ratio in the schools in conformity with SSA norms.

16  The Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) at the secondary level shows a declining trend. The GER for the district during 2013-14 was 87.58. There is not much difference in the GER of boys and girls for the district as a whole. There are wide variations in GER across blocks in district at secondary level during 2013-14.  While Kattankolathur (103.50), St. Thomas Mount (99.78) and Kundrathur (97.02) have high GER during 2013 – 14. Chittamour (63.00) Madhuranthakam (58.56) Uthiramerur (66.63) and wallajabad (68.58) have low GER during the year.  The dropout rate at secondary level for Kancheepuram district during 2013-14 was 2.5. For boys, it was 2.3 and for girls, it was 2.7.  During 2013-14, there were 259 high schools and 256 higher secondary schools in the district.  School infrastructure with respect to drinking water and sanitation, particularly separate toilets for girls improved considerably in the last few years with 100% schools having the facility.  A large number of schools (1034) had no compound walls as per 2013 -14 data. All the schools in the district had either three classrooms or more than three classrooms.  There are 47 student hostels for SC/ST students in the district. There are separate

17 hostels for girls studying in high schools and higher secondary schools.  There is a hostel for college girls in Kancheepuram and a hostel for college boys in Chengalpattu.  There are 11 Arts and Science Colleges, 85 Engineering colleges and 23 polytechnics in Kancheepuram district.  It may be noted that most of the Engineering colleges and Polytechnics are Self - financing institutions.  As Kancheepuram represents a unique industrial ecology, the industrial growth must be leveraged to create education – work ecosystem that enhances and links education, employability and skill development of its population. Gender

 An important aspect of empowerment of women is access and control over resources.  The Government of Tamil Nadu has been implementing Mahalir Thittam since 1990. The main objective of the scheme is to alleviate poverty among rural households by providing them access to credit and resources and it helps in the formation of Self – Help Groups (SHGS).  During 2010-11, there were 3190 SHGs in the district with a membership of 44338 and the amount of loan availed was Rs. 1941.45

18 lakh. But, we find that the number of SHGs declined during 2011-12 to 1188 and the membership also declined to 16254 and the amount of credit availed was Rs. 767.20 lakh. There is need for analyzing the reasons for the steep decline in the number of SHGS and membership during the year.  The position, however improved during 2013- 14. In 2013-14, the number of SHGs increased to 2722; the membership also increased to 34663 and credit availed also increased to Rs. 1465.42 lakh.  The female work participation rate in Kancheepuram district in 2011 was 24.8.  Female work participation rate in non – agricultural sector was 47.10 in 2011.  During 2012-13, female daily wage rate ranged from Rs. 120 to Rs. 150 across the blocks. It was the lowest in Kanchepuram (Rs. 120). followed by St. Thomas mount (Rs.130) and Thiruporur (Rs. 140). In all other blocks, it was Rs. 150/- per day.  In Kancheepuram district, the share of elected representatives in Rural Local Bodies and Urban local Bodies was 36.71%. However, their actual participation in the decision - making is rather limited. Social Security

 Demographic profile of the Aged; the share of the aged in the district was 9.1% according

19 to 2011 Census. The gender composition shows that 49% of them were men and 51% of them were female. And the elderly female population is on the rise. It may lead to ‘feminization of poverty’.  The triple burden of ageing, gender and poverty of women needs to be addressed with clear policy, planning and administrative action. Of course, there is need for providing social security to the aged irrespective of gender.  In Kancheepuram district, about 1.34 lakh elderly persons received financial assistance from different schemes implemented by the Government in 2013 -14.  The District Differently-abled Welfare Board at Chengalpattu is the nodal office for distributing the benefits under various schemes related to the differently-abled.  For a large district with 13 blocks and growing population, the reach is rather minimal and that is a matter for concern. The Welfare Board must proactively link with NGOs and other agencies associated with the welfare of the differently-abled. Infrastructure  The infrastructure situation of the district presents many redeeming features as well as challenges.  The district has access to 241 km of National Highways, 2171 km of State Highways, 568km

20 road length of Municipality and Corporation roads, and 3206 km of Panchayat union roads. The district has 1247 km. of Township roads and about 11 km. of Forest roads.  The improvement of rural roads under National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was initiated in 2012-13 in Kancheepuram district.  The district is well connected by Railways and Air.  In the district, 100% households are covered with electricity connection in all blocks.  There are 323 telephone exchanges and more than 8 lakh land lines in the district.  During 2013-14, there were 378 Commercial Bank branches and 260 Co-operative societies. is the lead Bank for Kancheepuram district.  During 2013-14, Life Insurance Corporation with three branches issued 19843 policies.  The Kancheepuram district has good transport facilities with a number of bus routes.  Kancheepuram district was chosen for Rs. 5000 crore greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur. This is a key future area of growth. It will be a huge boost for infrastructure development of allied facilities like cargo, freight, hospitality, hotels and roads.

21  As rural population in Kancheepuram district constitutes one fifth of the total population in the district, there is a need for development of rural infrastructure along with urban infrastructure as the district is a fast urbanizing zone. Conclusion

 With population increase and rapid urbanization of the district, district administration should take steps to improve infrastructure and public utilities like safe drinking water, sanitation, road / street light electrification, widening of roads, better sewage and drainage facilities.  The key message is planned urbanization of the industrialized blocks viz., Kundrathur, Kattankolathur and Sriperumbudur.  Inter – sectoral Linkages and Convergence as an Overarching Strategy.  There is a clear inter - sectoral linkage between education and employment, income and socio-economic status.  There is need for opening new and quality vocational and technical training institutes in the district, in close proximity, to the industrial parks and hubs.  Skill development programmes in PPP mode may be initiated with the help of industrial associations like CII and FICCI.

22  There is a strong inter - sectoral linkage between public health, nutrition, health and sanitation as well as provision of infrastructure in rural and urban areas. The Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan as well as Tamil Nadu Village Habitation improvement (THAI) can be utilized for maximum effect in the district.

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