It is the funds allocated at the community level in order to finance community infrastructure needs identified by the communities. The objective would be to fill the critical gaps for small and remote communities which may not be covered in under other rural infrastructure development programmes. Access to the CIF should be through a demand driven approach with communities identifying critical infrastructure constraints.

The priority activities under this component should include i) improving the linkages to market for those communities which are producing significant surplus, particularly during the monsoon season ii) reducing the workload of women by ensuring supply of safe drinking water close to the habitations, iii) improving the access to food supply through PDS iv) child care v) health care, vi) supplementing educational infrastructure etc. Besides, activities like creating work sheds for the communities for income generating activities like NTFP processing unit, storage centers, mills etc. may also be covered. These facilities will be used by the communities and may be managed by the VDCs through the common user groups. The activities such as major village road development should not be completely funded form this component. In case the community identifies such needs, the community should be mobilized to provide contribution in terms of unskilled labour as much as possible (to be decided by the communities) and government contribution must be augmented through convergence. Emphasis must be given on community responsibility for maintenance of the

 infrastructures so developed and women should be encouraged to take up this responsibility. The total fund allocated under this component is Rs. 2.00 lakhs per village but not exceeding Rs. 6.00 lakhs per MWS and will be released in phased manners starting from the second year of the programme cycle.