Taking a cue from the success of public grievance redressal system at the top level with the CMO, Chief Minister Raghubar Das has directed all the DCs to conduct similar Janta Darbars once in a week at block level block. He stressed on public participation for good governance and termed it necessary for the removal of lack of communication.
“There should be no dearth of communication between the Government and the people. It is necessary for good governance. The Government wants to know much the common man are getting benefited with the schemes and this can be done only by setting up communication link with the people. DCs should hold Janta Darbar at block level to listen their woes,” said the CM while holding a review meeting with Divisional Commissioners and DCs on Wednesday.
The CM was particularly concerned about rain-fed situation in 12-13 districts and instructed the DCs to present district and block wise details of the crop loss. The farmers should also be assisted under crop insurance scheme and drought hit districts should give special emphasis on MNREGA works.
The CM also directed the officials for executing schemes for tribal development and for working in making SHGs of theirs. “The Minister in-charge of particular district would start distribution of ration cards and all the DCs should make arrangements for that,” said the CM. Raghubar Das today reached out to the heads of all zila parishads to apprise them about roles and responsibilities in the setup of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and instructed deputy commissioners to hold janta darbar in rural areas to get acquainted with the problems in rural hinterlands of districts.
The CM also reached to the Chairmen of all district councils and deputy commissioners today through video conferencing as he emphasised on addressing rural issues to fulfill the objectives of DRDA. Chief Secretary, Rajiv Gauba; Principal Secretary, Planning and Finance, Amit Khare; Principal Secretary, Rural Development, NN Sinha and Principal Secretary to CM, Sanjay Kumar were present during the video conferencing session.
While congratulating on the devolution of more powers into the hands of chairman and members of district council, CM said, “Efforts must be initiated at your level (chairman and members) to alleviate poverty and unemployment. Common man’s expectations have increased manifold after entrusting the post of chairman of the agency to the chairman of district council. Hence, prioritise plans and execute it on time to win people’s confidence”.
CM promised a state-level convention for the members of district councils to disseminate information regarding powers devolved to the councils under the new arrangement of decentralisation of power. Noted experts of Panchayati Raj would be invited to the workshop. Das also expressed given the evolving situation due to less rainfall, MNREFA works should be expedited to curb displacement of people who rely on daily wage for sustenance.
Although progress of rural areas would depend on the effective functioning of the agency, chairman of district councils opine that they would not be more than a mute spectator due to panchayat elections which is likely to take place in the month of October-November. “We will not be able to contribute to the level we wanted because of panchayat elections. So I am not particularly excited about. Still, it is good for the system and it is an opportunity for successors to use the powers in the interest of rural people,” said Chairperson of Chatra Zila Parishad, Mamta Devi.