OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS LOAN NUMBER 8795-IN Loan Agreement (Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project) between INDIA and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT LOAN NUMBER 8795-IN LOAN AGREEMENT Agreement dated as of the Signature Date, between INDIA ("Borrower") and INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT ("Bank"). The Borrower and the Bank hereby agree as follows: ARTICLE I - GENERAL CONDITIONS; DEFINITIONS 1.01. The General Conditions (as defined in the Appendix to this Agreement) apply to and form part of this Agreement. 1.02. Unless the context requires otherwise, the capitalized terms used in this Agreement have the meanings ascribed to them in the General Conditions or in the Appendix to this Agreement. ARTICLE II - LOAN 2.01. The Bank agrees to lend to the Borrower the amount of one hundred million United States Dollars ($100,000,000) ("Loan"), as such amount may be converted from time to time through a Currency Conversion ("Loan"), to assist in financing the project described in Schedule I to this Agreement ("Project"). 2.02. The Borrower may withdraw the proceeds of the Loan in accordance with Section III of Schedule 2 to this Agreement. 2.03. The Front-end Fee is equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of the Loan amount. 2.04. The Commitment Charge is equal to one quarter of one percent (0.25%) per annum on the Unwithdrawn Loan Balance. 2.05. The interest rate is the Reference Rate plus the Variable Spread or such rate as may apply following a Conversion; subject to Section 3.02(e) of the General Conditions. 2.06. The Payment Dates are March 15 and September 15 in each year. 2.07. The principal amount of the Loan shall be repaid in accordance with Schedule 3 to this Agreement. 2.08 (a) If on any given day, the Total Exposure exceeds the Standard Exposure Limit (as said terms are defined in sub-paragraphs (bXii) and (b)(iii) of this Section), the Borrower shall pay to the Bank a surcharge at the rate of -2- one half of one percent (0.5%) per annum of the Allocated Excess Exposure Amount (as defined in sub-paragraph (b)(i) of this Section) for each said day ("Exposure Surcharge"). The Exposure Surcharge (if any) shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on each Payment Date. (b) For purposes of this Section the following terms have the meanings set forth below: (i) "Allocated Excess Exposure Amount" means for each day during which the Total Exposure exceeds the Standard Exposure Limit, the product of: (A) the total amount of said excess; and (B) the ratio of all (or, if the Bank so determines, a portion) of the Loan to the aggregate amount of all (or the equivalent portions) of the loans made by the Bank to the Borrower and to other borrowers guaranteed by the Borrower that are also subject to an exposure surcharge, as said excess and ratio are reasonably determined from time to time by the Bank. (ii) "Standard Exposure Limit" means the standard limit on the Bank's financial exposure to the Borrower which, if exceeded, would subject the Loan to the Exposure Surcharge, as determined from time to time by the Bank. (iii) "Total Exposure" means for any given day, the Bank's total financial exposure to the Borrower, as reasonably determined by the Bank. ARTICLE III - PROJECT 3.01. The Borrower declares its commitment to the objectives of the Project To this end, the Borrower shall cause the Project to be carried out by the Borrower's State of Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nadu or Project Implementing Entity) through the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Society ("TNRTS"), in accordance with the provisions of Article V of the General Conditions, Schedule 2 to this Agreement and the Project Agreement. ARTICLE IV - REMEDIES OF THE BANK 4.01. The Additional Event of Suspension consists of the following: (a) The legal framework (including the Memorandum of Association and the Bylaws) for TNRTS has been amended, suspended, abrogated, repealed or waived so as to affect materially and adversely the ability of the TNRTS to perform any of its obligations under the Project Agreement. -3- (b) The legal framework (including the Memorandum of Association and/or the Bylaws) for 5 or more of the District Societies has been amended, suspended, abrogated, repealed or waived so as to affect materially and adversely the ability of the District Societies to perform any of their obligations under the District Participating Agreement. ARTICLE V - EFFECTIVENESS; TERMINATION 5.01. The Effectiveness Deadline is the date ninety (90) days after the Signature Date. ARTICLE VI - REPRESENTATIVE; ADDRESSES 6.01. The Borrower's Representative is any of the following officials acting severally: the Secretary, Additional Secretary, Joint Secretary, Director, Deputy Secretary, or Under Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Borrower's Ministry of Finance. 6.02. For purposes of Section 10.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Borrower's address is: Secretary Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finance Government of India North Block New Delbi I10 001, India; and (b) the Borrower's Electronic Address is: Facsimile: E-mail: 91-11-23092611 secy-dea@nic.in 6.03. For purposes of Section 10.01 of the General Conditions: (a) the Bank's address is: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 United States of America; and -4- (b) the Bank's Electronic Address is: Facsimile: E-mail: 1-202-477-6391 jahmad@worldbankorg AGREED as of the Signature Date. INDIA By Authorized Representative Name: SA%4,r *x4rrvt~,~ni~ Title: /AJlScr$ y Date: -~~4*j,5 ao.Avoq' INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT By Authorized Representative Name: dIAj*,,& k*vPa-e A-A4A- Title: 4%,Arnax A1,.ec*z#e.,, IAJ,A Date: -5- SCHEDULE I Project Description The objective of the Project is to promote rural enterprises, access to finance and employment opportunities in selected blocks of Tamil Nadu. The Project consists of the following parts: Component I. Rural Enterprise Ecosystem Develooment 1.(a) Inclusive Strategic Investment Analytics and Planning Carrying out a set of studies, diagnostics, investment analysis and planning of the business ecosystem in the Project areas, identifying and prioritizing sectors, sub- sectors, and commodities for project investments, including, inter alia: (i) a district diagnostic study (DDS) to identify and prioritize major sectors, sub-sectors, and commodities for enterprise promotion; (ii) value-chain analysis (VCA) studies for prioritized commodities and sub-sectors, to inform enterprise promotion strategies; and (iii) participatory growth plans (PGPs) facilitated by the District, Block and MaKaMai teams at the village, Block, and District levels. These activities will involve preparing Village Investment Plans (VIPs), Block Investment Plans (BIPs), District Investment Plans (DIPs) and State Investment Plans (SIPs). L.(b) Enterprise Development Support Services Providing business development support to producer collectives (PCs) and small enterprises under the Project through community-led service delivery by MaKaMai(s) and one stop facilities (OSFs), including, inter alia: scope enterprise promotion; business conceptualization; business plan development; support to initiate the business; facilitation support to access required finance, technology, skills, licenses and other regulation compliances; market intelligence, information and linkages; and mentoring. 1.(c) Enterprise Promotion, Value Chain Strengthening and Partnerships: (i) Promoting individual enterprises (nano, micro and small enterprises - NMSEs) engaged in prioritized sub-sectoral value-chain activities and enhancing their capacity through, inter alia: (a) identifying a set of aspiring entrepreneurs; (b) providing technical and business development services through OSFs to develop business plans; and (c) linking selected enterprises to financial institutions for business plan financing and other financial services. -6- (ii) Promoting collective enterprises (enterprise groups (EGs), producer groups (PGs), and PCs) engaged in prioritized sub-sectoral value-chain activities and enhancing their capacity through, inter alia: (a) mobilization of producers (primarily women SHG members), involved in a specific commodity and sub-sector clusters into PGs or EGs; (b) providing technical assistance and hand-holding by technical support agencies, providing customized training for group management, production and quality enhancement, value-addition, franchise management, business plan development, planning and monitoring; and (c) development of market integration mechanisms. (iii) Providing Start-Up Fund Grants to PGs, EGs, and PCs to finance collective procurement, productive infrastructure, and/or their day-to-day operations and marketing. Component 2. Enterprise Business Plan Financin 2.(a) Facilitating Business Plan Financing (i) Providing Matching Grants to Beneficiaries for the implementation of Business Plans. (ii) Implementing a technical assistance program for the PFIs involved in the Project through hands-on training in, inter alia, practical application of the Matching Grants, assessment and effectiveness of Business Plans, and mitigation of the related risks. 2.(b) Innovation Promotion Supporting the design, promotion, and implementation of transformational ideas that use technology, innovation, and partnerships to tackle development challenges in Tamil Nadu, including: (i) the Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Marketplace, a platform to be developed and administered by TNRTS to identify and showcase innovations with the potential to impact rural economic growth in Tamil Nadu such as scalable models and innovative solutions for the poor, and (ii) Induced thematic innovations to be piloted with specific targets (with focus on green enterprise initiatives, women enterprise, and local innovations). -7- Component 3: Skills and Job Opportunitles 3.(a) Pre- and Post-Training Services to Enhance Employment Outcomes Providing pre- and post-training services to poor households' youth, including, inter alia: identification and mobilization of target youth, development of information packages on available trainings and training schedules, and hand- holding services in destination areas. 3.(b) Community-based Training and Skilling Provision Establishing community skills schools delivering demand-based training services at the village level, increasing access to training for the poor, women, and other marginalized groups. 3.(c) Entrepreneurship Development Enhancing the skills of service providers, entrepreneurs, and producer households in focus value chains, leading to improved income and employment outcomes. Comonent 4: Project Manauemept. Result Monitoria and Implementation Support Switems 4.(a) Implementation Support Systems Providing support services and systems for Project administration, financial management, procurement, safeguards management, human resource management and ICT. 4.(b) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Grievance Redress (i) Providing support to monitoring and evaluation activities, including, inter- alia: (A) monitoring of the Project activities' progress; (B) monitoring of Project processes; (C) monitoring of intermediate outcomes; (D) participatory monitoring and evaluation activities; (E) thematic studies and case studies; and (F) impact evaluation. (ii) Establishing grievance redress mechanisms for the Project, including, inter-alia: online e-services and offline/manual services, an operating procedure for the handling of unresolved grievances, and a single database to monitor the performance of DPMUs. -g- 4.(c) Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Carrying out ICT-based and digital solutions for planning, data analytics, results monitoring, business processes, decision support systems, and reporting. 4.(d) Knowledge, Communication, and Learning Systems (i) Gathering and disseminating the knowledge generated in the Project to reach out to external and internal audiences; and (ii) carrying out short process studies, establishing beneficiary feedback systems, and implementing rapid surveys to get information on specific aspects that needs Project management attention for regular decision making. SCHEDULE 2 Project Execution Section . Implementation Arrangements Institutional Arrangements 1. To facilitate the carrying out of the Project, the Borrower shall make the proceeds of the Loan available to Tamil Nadu in accordance with the Borrower's standard arrangements for developmental assistance to the States of India. 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any provision of this Agreement were to be found inconsistent with the Borrower's standard arrangements for development assistance to the States of India, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern. 3. The Borrower shall at all times protect its own interests and the interests of the Bank to accomplish the purposes of the Loan. Section 11. Project Monitoriny- Reportine and Evaluation A. Project Reports 1. The Borrower shall cause Tamil Nadu to fumish to the Bank each Project Report not later than 45 days after the end of each calendar quarter, covering the calendar quarter. 2. The Borrower shall cause Tamil Nadu to carry out a comprehensive mid-term Project review under terms of reference satisfactory to the Bank, and funish to the Bank a mid-term Project progress report, satisfactory to the Bank by no later than the second quarter of the fourth calendar year of implementation counted from the Effective Date. Section m. Withdrawal of Loan Proceeds 1. Without limitation upon the provisions of Article II of the General Conditions and in accordance with the Disbursement and Financial Information Letter, the Borrower may withdraw the proceeds of the Loan to: (a) finance Eligible Expenditures; and (b) pay: (i) the Front-end Fee and (ii) Interest Rate Cap or Interest Rate Collar premium; in the amount allocated, if applicable, up to the percentage set forth against each category of the following table: - 10 - Category Amount of the Loan Percentage of Allocated Expenditures to be (expressed in USD) financed (inclusive of Taxes) 1.(a) Goods, works, non- consulting services, consulting 75,210,000 services, Operating Costs, Training and Workshops for 70% the Project L.(b) Start Up Fund Grants 9,110,000 (2) Matching Grants under 15,430,000 70% Component II of the Project Amount payable pursuant (3) Front-end Fee 250,000 to Section 2.03 of this Agreement in accordance with Section 2.07 (b) of the General Conditions (4) Interest Rate Cap or Interest Amount due pursuant to Rate Collar premium 0 Section 4.05(c) of the _____________ ___________General Conditions TOTAL AMOUNT - 100,000,000 Geneal_ondiion 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I above, no withdrawal shall be made: (a) for payments made prior to the date of this Agreement, except that withdrawals up to an aggregate amount not to exceed twenty million dollars (US$ 20,000,000) may be made for payments made on or after July 1, 2017, for Eligible Expenditures under sub-Categories 1. (a) and 1. (b) of the Project; or (b) for payments made under Category (2) unless Tamil Nadu has submitted evidence acceptable to the Bank confirming that: (i) the Fund Manager for the Matching Grants has been hired in a manner, under terms of reference, and with experience and qualifications acceptable to the Bank; and (ii) Tamil Nadu has adopted the Matching Grants Manual, in a manner and substance satisfactory to the Bank and endorsed by the TNRTS' Executive Committee. 3. The closing Date is November 30, 2023. SCHEDULE 3 The following table sets forth the Principal Payment Dates of the Loan and the percentage of the total principal amount of the Loan payable on each Principal Payment Date ("Installment Share"). Commitment Principal Repayments Principal Payment Date Installment Share 15Ma2023 1.03000 Sp2023 1.06000 I 5Mar2024 1.08000 Sep24 1.11000 1SMar2025 1.14000 15Sep2025 1.17000 15Mar2026 1.19000 15Sep2026 1.22000 15Mar2027 1.26000 15Sep2027 1.29000 15Mar2028 1.32000 15sep2028 1.35000 15Mar2O29 1.39000 15Sep2029 1.42000 15Ma030 1.46000 15Sep2030 1.49000 15Mur2031 1.53000 15ep2031 1.57000 15Mar2032 1.61000 MSep2032 1.65000 tSMar2033 1.69000 15S2033 1.73000 15Mar2034 1.77000 15Sp2034 1.82000 15Mar2035 1.86000 15p2035 1.91000 15Ma2036 1.96000 l5cp2036 2.01000 15Mar2037 2.06000 ISp2037 2.11000 15Mas238 2.16000 15Sep2038 2.22000 15Ma2039 2.27000 15Sep2039 2.33000 15Mar2040 2.39000 15Sep2040 2.45000 15Mar2041 2.51000 15S,p2041 2.57000 15Mer2042 263000 15Sep2042 2.70000 15Mar2043 2.77000 15Sep2043 2.84000 15Mar2044 2.91000 SeDp2044 2.98000 ISMar2O45 3.05000 15S2045 3.13000 15Mar2046 3.21000 ' 12 �s оаь з.г9гюо �sм�т з.зэаоо l5 047 2.%WO - 13- APPENDIX Section 1. Definitions 1. "Advisory Committee" means the committee to be set up by the Project Implementing Entity to provide advice to the GB & EC, pursuant to Section I.A.L(c) of the Schedule to the Project Agreement and the Project Irnplementation Plan. 2. "Anti-Corruption Guidelines" means, for purposes of paragraph 5 of the Appendix to the General Conditions, the "Guidelines on Preventing and Combating Fraud and Corruption in Projects Financed by IBRD Loans and IDA Credits and Grants", dated October 15, 2006 and revised in January 2011 and as of July 1, 2016. 3. "Beneficiary" means: (i) an eligible individual entrepreneur, PC, EG, PG, beriefitting from Start-Up Fund Grants; and/or (ii) eligible collective organizations, EGs, or NMSEs, benefitting from Matching Grants. 4. "Block" means the administrative sub-division of a District in Tamil Nadu. 5. "Block Investment Plans" and the acronym "BIPs" mean the plans comprised of the consolidated VIPs (as defined hereinafter) for each Block, and approved by the DPMU of their respective District. 6. "Block Project Management Unit" and the acronym "BPMU' means each unit established within each block level for assisting in carrying out the Project activities in such block consisting of a sub-group of designated staff of the respective District Society. 7. "Business Plan" means: (i) in the case of Matching Grants, a plan prepared by collective organizations, EGs or NMSEs in accordance with the procedures and formats prescribed in the Matching Grants Manual and approved by the PF1 and DPMU[s; and (ii) in the can of Start Up Fund Grants, a plan prepared by a PC or an EG or PG in accordance with die procedures and formats prescribed in the Prcject Implementation Plan and approved by the DPMUs. 8. "Category" means a category set forth in the table in Section III. I of Schedule 2 to this Agreement 9. -CPs" means community professionals identified and retained by the MaKaMai(s) involved in activities at the Block level, such as: (a) forming and strengthening of PGs; (b) identifying of target beneficiaries; (c) ensuring inclusion into group enterprises; (d) identifying youth for skilling; and (e) community-level financial management. -14- 10. "Co-Financing Cooperation Agreements" means, collectively, the written agreements to be entered by and between the Fund Manager and each of the PFIs screened and pre-selected as prospective/eligible co-financiers of Business Plans, and endorsed by the TNRTS' Executive Committee, pursuant to Section I.E.1 of the Schedule to the Project Agreement; as such agreements may be revised, amended or supplemented from time to time with the prior written concurrence of the Bank. 11. "DDS" means the district diagnostic study provided for in Component 1. (a) (i) of Schedule I to this Agreement. 12. "District" means any of the twenty-six (26) administrative sub-divisions of Tamil Nadu benefitting from the activities wnder the Project as agreed with between Tamil Nadu and the Bank, as well as any other District incorporated from time to time to the Project subject to the prior written concurrence of the Bank. 13. "District Investment Plans" and the acronym "DIPs" mean the plans comprised of the consolidated BIPs for each District, as endorsed by the relevant line departments and approved by the District Society. 14. "District Project Management Unit" or "DPMU" means the unit established within each District Society for assisting in the carrying out of the Project activities in such district. 15. "District Society" means a society established or to be established in Project districts, and registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, (as amended) to operate in accordance to its Memorandum of Association and Bylaws in the State of Tamil Nadu. 16. "District Participating Agreement" means an agreement to be entered into between the TNRTS and a District Society setting up the terms of conditions of their participation in the implementation of Project activities, in accordance with Section I.A.2 (b) of the Schedule to the Project Agreement, and the Project Implementation Plan. 17. "Displaced Persons" means persons who, on account of the execution of the Project, have experienced or would experience direct economic and social impacts caused by- (a) the involuntary taking of land, resulting in: (i) relocation or loss of shelter; (ii) loss of assets or access to assets; or (iii) loss of income sources or means of livelihood, whether or not such persons must move to another location; or (b) the involuntary restriction of access to legally designated parks and protected areas, resulting in adverse impact on the livelihoods of such persons. - 15 - 18. "EGs" means enterprises groups, a collective of individuals organized around a common economic activity registered as a society or such other registered body pursuant to the applicable law of Project Implementing Entity/the Borrower. 19. "ESMF" means the Project Implementing Entity's environmental and social management framework dated May 18, 2017 and disclosed by the Bank's portal on June 12, 2017, setting forth the: (i) policy framework, principles, standards, processes and institutional arrangements to be applied to assess potential adverse environmental impacts associated with Project activities and the ways to avoid, minimize, mitigate or offset them, including public consultation, disclosure and reporting; and (ii) social impact assessments and mitigation procedures and arrangements and grievance redress procedures for assessing and addressing any Project social impacts; as such framework may be amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank. 20. "FM Manual" means the TNRTS's "Financial Management Manual", dated September 28, 2017, setting forth the operating procedures for the carrying out of the financial management requirements under the Project, including inter alia: (i) accounting principles, practices, methods and procedures; (ii) budgeting and planning; (iii) fund flow mechanism, internal control and financing reporting; and (iv) audit arrangements; as such manual may be amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank. 21. "Fund Manager" means a financial institution or a firm to be selected and hired by TNRTS to manage the transactions related to the Matching Grants, liaise with the PFIs for the provision of said grants to selected Beneficiaries, and liaise with the SPMU for the respective reporting. 22. "GB & EC" means the governing body and executive committee to be set up by the Project Implementing Entity pursuant to Section LA. 1(b) of Schedule 2 to the Project Agreement and the Project Implementation Plan. 23. "General Conditions" means the "International Bank for Reconstruction and Development General Conditions for IBRD Financing, Investment Project Financing", dated July 14, 2017. 24. "GoTN" means the govenment,of Tamil Nadu. 25. "HR Manual" means the TNRTS' human resources manual, setting forth the guidelines and processes for the carrying out of the human resources activities such as recruitment, on-boarding, capacity development under the Project, as such manual may be amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank. 26. "ICT" means information and communication technologies. - 16 - 27. "MaKaMai" means, in Tamil Nadu's local language, a community resource center registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Act, operating at the District and/or Block levels with the objective to nurture and grow village level community institutions. 28. "Matching Grant" means a grant awarded by the Fund Manager through the PFI to an eligible Beneficiary, out of the proceeds of the Loan, for the financing of the Beneficiary's Business Plan, pursuant to Section E of the Schedule to the Project Agreement and the selection criteria and procedures set forth in the Matching Grants Manual. 29. "Memorandum of Association and Bylaws" means the constitutive documents governing the rules and procedures for the management and the functioning of the TNRTS and each District Society pursuant to Tamil Nadu's legislation. 30. "Matching Grants Manual" means the manual, satisfactory to the Bank, to be adopted by TNRTS, setting forth, inter alia, the criteria for the selection of the PFIs, the terms and conditions for selection of the Beneficiaries, as well as the necessary formats for application for Matching Grants, safeguard requirements, and other necessary guidelines for the Matching Grants' implementation. 31. "MSMEs" means micro, small and medium enterprises, as identified pursuant to the criteria and thresholds set out in the Project Implementation Plan. 32. "NMSEs" means nano, micro and small enterprises as identified pursuant to the criteria and thresholds set out in the Project Implementation Plan. 33. "Operating Costs" means the reasonable costs of incremental expenditures incurred by TNRTS on account of Project implementation, including, inter alia: costs of operation, rent and maintenance of offices, communication costs, incremental staff salaries (including government staff on deputation to the Project), training, and travel allowances of Project staff related to Project implementation, coordination, and monitoring but excluding the salaries of civil servants of the Borrower. 34. "OSFs" means one-stop-facilities to be established at Block level to provide business advisory/development services to rural entrepreneurs and enterprises for business facilitation and/or incubation. 35. "Participating Financial Institutions" and the acronym "PFIs" mean the financial institutions selected for the implementation of the Matching Grants pursuant to the eligibility criteria set out in the Matching Grants Manual. 36. "PFI Loan" means the financing to be provided by PFIs which includes the Matching Grant. -17- 37. "PFI Loan Agreement" means each of the legal agreements to be entered into between a PFI and a Beneficiary of the MGP pursuant to Section I.E1 of the Schedule to the Project Agreement, for purposes of providing financing to their respective Business Plan. 38. "PC" means a producer collective being a collective of PGs within each District registered as a society or such other registered body pursuant to the applicable law of Project Implementing Entity/the Borrower. 39. "PG" mean a producer group being a group of individuals organized around a common economic activity, a cooperative thereof and/or a registered body formed for the purpose of enhancing business production (agriculture and non-agriculture) and access to services and markets. 40. "PGPs" means the participatory growth plans provided for under Component 1. (a)(iii) of Schedule 1 to this Agreement. 41. "Procurement Manual" means the TNRTS's manual dated September 28, 2017, for purposes of the Project, which provides detailed guidance on the procurement procedures to be followed at the state, District, Block, and community level and the preparation of bidding documents; as such manual may be amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank. 42. "Procurement Regulations" means, for purposes of paragraph 85 of the Appendix to the General Conditions, the "World Bank Procurement Regulations for Borrowers under Investment Project Financing", dated July 1, 2016. 43. "Project Agreement" means the agreement between the Bank and the Project Implementing Entity of even date herewith, as the same may be amended from time to time, and such term includes all schedules and agreements supplemental to the Project Agreement. 44. "Project Implementing Entity" means the Borrower's State of Tamil Nadu. 45. "Project Implementation Plan" means the implementation plan of the TNRTS for the Project dated September 28, 2017, including the time-bound action plans, procedures and criteria agreed with the Bank for Project implementation (including the criteria for the selection of Districts under the Project and the guidelines for the disbursal of the Start Up Fund Grants) as the same may amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank. 46. "Safeguard Documents" means, collectively, the ESMF, the TDP, as well as any other plans and documents prepared or to be prepared, pursuant to Section LC.2 of Schedule to the Project Agreement. -18- 47. "SHGs" means self-help groups within a community, generally consisting of 12- 19 women members, engaged in thrift, credit and economic activities. 48. "Signature Date" means the latest of the two dates on which the Borrower and the Bank signed this Agreement and such definition applies to all references to "the date of the Loan Agreement" in the General Conditions. 49. "State Investment Plan" and the acronym "SIP" mean the investment plan for the State of Tamil Nadu, comprising the consolidated DIPs. 50. "State Project Management Unit" and the acronym "SPMU" mean the unit established within the TNRTS for the carrying out of Project activities pursuant to Section I.A.1.(d) of the Schedule to the Project Agreement. 51. "Start-Up Fund Grant" means the grant awarded by the DPMUs to an eligible Beneficiary, out of the proceeds of the Loan, for the financing of the Beneficiary's Business Plans, pursuant to Section D of the Schedule to the Project Agreement and the selection criteria and procedures contemplated in the guidelines for Start Up Fund Grants set forth in the Project Implementation Plan. 52. "Start-Up Fund Grant Agreement" means the legal agreement to be entered into between the DPMU and a Beneficiary, pursuant to Section LD.2 of the Schedule to the Project Agreement, for purposes of providing financing for the implementation of Business Plans. 53. "Steering Committee" means the committee to be established by the Project Implementing Entity, for purposes of providing policy guidance and oversight for the Project implementation, pursuant to Section 1.A.I.(a) of Schedule 2 to the Project Agreement. 54. "Tamil Nadu" means the State of Tamil Nadu, which is the Project Implementing Entity as set out in the Project Agreement. 55. "Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Society" and the acronym "TNRTS" mean the society established under the Tamil Nadu Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj approved by Government Orders No. 73 and 74 dated June 30, 2017, and which operates according to its constitutive documents including its Memorandum of Association and Bylaws. 56. "Training and Workshops" means the reasonable cost of trainings, seminars, workshops, conferences and study tours, conducted in the territory of the Borrower or overseas and subject to the Bank's prior agreement, organized or attended by the Project Implementing Entity's staff and/or the staff of the TNRTS, SPMU, DPMUs, BPMUs, the MaKaMais, PFIs and the Fund Manager-, all in direct relation to the Project; which costs may include, inter alia: (a) the fees of training -19- institutions and courses; (b) domestic and international travel costs, lodging costs, and subsistence/per diem allowances both for trainers and trainees; (c) the rental of training facilities; and (d) preparation, purchase or reproduction of training materials. 57. "Tribal Development Plan" and the acronym "TDP" mean each tribal people's development plan to be prepared under the Project, setting forth the principles and procedures designed to ensure meaningful consultation with, and informed participation of, Tribal Groups and their communities in the design and implementation of the Project activities, as well as their participation in the envisioned culturally appropriate and socially inclusive benefits thereof as such plans may be amended from time to time with the prior concurrence of the Bank 58. "Tribal Groups" means any distinct, vulnerable, social and cultural group within the territory of the Project Implementing Entity, that: (i) self-identifies as such and claims, and is recognized by others as, having a distinguishable cultural identity; (ii) has collective attachment to geographically distinct habits or ancestral territories in the Project area, and to the natural resources in these habitat and territories; (iii) has customary cultural, economic, social and political institutions that are separate from those of the dominant society and culture; and (iv) has an indigenous language, often different from the official language of the Borrower and/or the Project Implementing Entity. 59. "Village Investment Plans" and the acronym "VIPs" mean the PGPs prepared by a village/community and validated at the Block level by the BPMU.