Occupied with panchayat polls for the past two months, Rural Development Department is now expediting implementation of pending projects and spending allotted funds likewise. With several new projects in the pipeline for livelihood promotion, housing, water harvesting and more in villages of the State, Department is eyeing even more financial aid for these initiatives from national and global parties.
“In comparison to previous financial year, Department is doing better in terms of spending the received funds. Till November this year, around `2600 crore rupees have already been spent collectively by Rural Development, Rural Works and Panchayati Raj. And this expenditure is according to development projects being conducted in rural areas of the state,” stated Rural Development Minister Neelkanth Singh Munda while addressing a press meet on Thursday.
With this renewed vigour, the Department is putting together proposals for various new projects which are meant to bring in financial aids from national and global parties. On top of this list is a drip irrigation project worth `282.25 crores for increasing livelihood and production of 30,000 villagers, which has been forwarded to Japan Government. ‘Johar’, a project for livelihood promotion of rural populace, has been sent to World Bank with estimated cost pegged at `875 crores.
A project proposal of Rs347 crores for promoting water harvesting has also been submitted to National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Apart from that, 500 model gram panchayats will be developed in scheduled areas in districts affected by left-Wing Extremism.
“Maintaining quality of work is also among our primary areas of concern. Alterations have been made in projects estimates to ensure that the infrastructure built will survive the test of time. Work is being done now based on this new design,” Singh added.
The Department is also planning to launch a state-wide project formulation campaign from January 2016, becoming the second state to do so after Kerala. “During the campaign, suggestions will be invited from the rural populace in the State regarding the upcoming budget. We intend the next budget to comply with the wishes and needs of the people of the state,” said Munda.
Speaking on status of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in state, Munda informed that funds from Centre for the employment scheme have been raised to `1800 crores considering the past performance of the state in this regard. Not much could be done in MNREGA for the past few months due to monsoon and panchayat election; since now is ideal time for MNREGA works, the scheme will gather steam once again, he further said.
“There are around 2 lakh workers working under MNREGA every day. We are endeavouring to ensure that atleast one work under MNREGA begins in every village. These works will be in accordance to needs of that particular village,” stated Principal Secretary NN Sinha.
“law and order scenario has improved a great deal in the State. 10 Naxal-affected pockets in 14 districts have been identified for conducting welfare projects intensively. We are even getting more interested parties come forward for taking up infrastructure development works. For isolated incidents, district administration is working to contain them,” Munda said.
“Following the completion of panchayat elections, we are looking towards constructing panchayat bhavans in every panchayat of the State. Three-fourth of the panchayat bhavans in the State are in good condition whereas the rest are dilapidated, which will be renovated soon. Unavailability of land is the reason behind 150 panchayats without panchayat bhavans and will be sorted out shortly too,” assured Munda.
To top it all, rural development is also planning to take the digital route in the State. Tablet computers have been provided to 3032 gram panchayats for updating muster roll and issuing payment orders.
“M-governance will also be used prominently in rural regions. It will be used for monitoring or reporting of infrastructure development works by officials or villagers. Its scope will also be expanded to MNREGA,” said Munda.