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Minister for Rural Development, Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has said that gainful employment, food security and strengthening of infrastructure in rural areas are a must for national renewal for a resurgent India. He was chairing the first meeting of the Consultative Committee here today. He further said that the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) is being implemented for these goals. The annual outlay of the scheme is Rs. 6000 crores under cash component and 50 lakhs tonnes of foodgrains. It aims to generate around 100 crore mandays with food security through creation of durable social and economic infrastructure. However, the Government felt that the existing resources under SGRY are not sufficient to meet the requirements in backward districts of the country. Therefore, Government of India has drawn up a new programme viz. ‘National Food For Work Programme”, which will be launched shortly. This programme will be implemented in 150 most backward districts of the country. This programme will focus on water conservation, drought proofing, flood control, land development and rural connectivity. This new programme is 100% centrally sponsored.
Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh apprised the Members about various programmes being implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development. Emphasizing the importance of poverty alleviation programmes, he requested the Members of Parliament to ensure effective monitoring in the capacity of the Chairperson of District Level Vigilance & Monitoring Committees. He also stressed upon the role of rural development programmes in removing regional disparities.
During the meeting, Shri Madhusudhan D Mistry, MP has drawn the attention of the Minister towards the problem being faced in the implementation of PMGSY because of the obstructions created by Forest Department officials at the field levels. It was also highlighted that labourers engaged in the various rural development programmes should also be paid minimum wages. Shri Shailendra Kumar, MP informed about the irregularities being committed by the panchayats in the selection of beneficiaries under IAY. He demanded the simplification of the procedures. Shri Bhupendrasinh Solanki advised that under PMGSY, projects which are more than 25 mtr. of length should also be allowed to be taken up. Shri Raghunath Jha, MP highlighted the need for Gram Sabha meeting in proper manner. He emphasized on having a complete master plan of the schemes so as to check the irregularities which are a cause of concern at the field level because of the picking and choosing attitude of the implementing agencies. Shri T. Chamang, MP advised that in the guidelines of various programmes, State-specific provisions should also be made keeping in view the local requirement. Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal, MP has expressed concern over the unauthorized occupation of the village tanks by the influential section of the people and highlighted the need for taking up water conservation methods on extensive basis. Shri Vidya Sagar Nishad, MP has emphasized on taking up projects pertaining to drainage channels of the flood-affected areas of Bihar.
Replying to the suggestions of the MPs, the Minister assured proper action on all the points raised by them. He also informed that with respect to many points, action has already been taken up.
Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh also solicited guidance and cooperation of the MPs. The Consultative Committee comprises 22 Members from Lok Sabha and 8 Members from Rajya Sabha. S/Shri Madhusudan D. Mistry, D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Dr. Ram Lakhan Singh, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Kailash Joshi, Bhupendrasinh Solanki, A. Ravichandran, Ms. C.S. Sujatha, A.K. Moorthy, Sukhdev Singh Libra, Raghunath Jha, Shailendra Kumar and Thupstan Chhewang from Lok Sabha and S/Shri Pyarelal Khandelwal, Vikram Verma, Indramoni Bora, Vidya Sagar Nishad, Nand Kishore Yadav and Prof. Saifuddin Soz from Rajya Sabha were present in the Meeting. Shri A. Narendra, Hon'ble Minister of State for Rural Development extended the Vote of Thanks.
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