The Central Common Review Mission (CRM) team led by Chairman Summit Bose, after three days field visit to various blocks and villages, had a wrap-up meeting with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi and Panchayati Raj Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh here on Monday.
Chief Secretary Padhi said that the State Government prioritises ‘Housing for All’ scheme and is making efforts to make the programme successful at ground level. PR Secretary Singh mentioned that around 10 lakh houses for rural poor have been constructed during 2014-15 and 2015-16 with direct involvement of beneficiaries themselves. As per SECC data around 44 lakh priority households have been identified to be covered under the scheme. It has been targeted to construct around 5 lakh houses each year. Chief Secretary Padhi said the landless persons are being enlisted to be included in it. The landless would be provided homestead land under the Basundhara scheme so as to make them eligible for rural housing programme, he said.
Available data show, a total number of 9,372 PMGSY roads stretching over 36,168 km have been completed in the State up to March 31, 2016. A total amount of around `14,930 crore has been invested in it. Presently, the programme is being implemented with 60:40 funding share between the Centre and the State.
Around `150 crore has been provided under the State Budget for maintenance of these roads. PR Secretary Singh mentioned that around `1,200 crore of MGNREGS funds has been converged with various State and Central Government schemes.
The team also looked into implementation of the programmes like Din Dayal Upadhaya Grameen Kausal Yojona (DDUGKY), PDS, electrification, internet connectivity, reduction of IMR and MMR, management of malnutrition etc. Panchayati Raj Secretary Singh said that around 35,000 youths have been trained under the scheme this year.
The team suggested the need for extending internet connectivity to panchayat level. Chief Secretary Padhi said that presently the connectivity has been established up to block level and steps are being taken to extend it to panchayat level. The four-member team visited various blocks and villages in Ganjam and Mayurbhanj districts.