The Union Government’s plan for making 22 per cent of the gram panchayats (GPs) in the State poverty-free in coming two years was discussed at a State level Empowered Committee (SlEC) meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the Secretariat here on Friday.
Panchayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh presented the proposal for discussion. Padhi advised the department to focus on sustainable income, green environment, quality education, health and hygiene. It was decided to take up 1,342 GPs (around 22% of total GPs) and develop them as Model Poverty-Free Gram Panchayats (PFGPs) by October 2, 2019 (Gandhi Jayanti day). Padhi directed the department to prepare the list of these GPs by end of March thisyear.
The Panchayati Raj Secretary proposed to adopt a four-pronged approach like (i) enhancing agricultural productivity, (ii) skilling of youth, (iii) creating opportunities for high order farm and non-farm activities and (iv) better targeting of safety-net schemes for combating poverty. It was decided to have systematic interventions at four levels, individual, household, community and GP level.
He appraised that the Government of India has announced launching of the Mission Antodaya to make around 50,000 GPs in the country poverty-free by October 2, 2019. Odisha has been included in this mission. The objectives of the mission include strengthening grassroots governance, creation of durable and income generating assets, creating good infrastructure and ensuring effective basic service delivery.
Creation of mass awareness on entitlements of the people under various schemes and efficient utilisation of funds at the GP level are the other objectives.