How do District Rural Development Agencies. (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? 1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country. 2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures. 3. DRDAS secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes. 4. DRDAS watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Statement 1 is incorrect. District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) were set up as registered societies to manage and implement various anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development. They function as administrative bodies under the overall supervision of the Zilla Parishad (a Panchayati Raj Institution), but they are not PRIs themselves. 2. Statement 2 is incorrect. While DRDAs are involved in district-level planning for these programmes, conducting in-depth, area-specific scientific studies on the causes of poverty and malnutrition and preparing detailed remedial measures is not their primary mandate. Their main focus is programme implementation and management. 3. Statement 3 is correct. A key function of DRDAs is to facilitate the effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes by ensuring inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation among various agencies and line departments involved at the district level. 4. Statement 4 is correct. DRDAs are responsible for overseeing the funds allocated for various centrally sponsored anti-poverty programmes implemented at the district level. They are expected to watch over and ensure the effective utilization of these funds for their intended purpose.