National Extension Service
Topic: Panchayati Raj: Rural Local Government · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The National Extension Service (NES) began in 1953, a year after the Community Development Programme. It took development work out to blocks across the country through extension officers. These officers carried knowledge on farming, health and other subjects to villages. The NES and the CDP did not get people to take part, and this led to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957).
Example
Under the NES, a block had a Block Development Officer and extension officers for areas such as agriculture. The Balwantrai Mehta Committee found that people took little part in this official-led setup. It recommended elected panchayats at three tiers.
Don't confuse with
- Community Development Programme (1952): this was the main programme for people's participation. The NES was the system of extension officers that spread development work to more blocks.