Saryu’s model of development is likely to become guiding principle for growth for other naxal affected areas in Jharkhand. Encouraged with Saryu’s transformation from a naxal dominated area to a vibrant village the State government is likely to implement the model in around 300 panchayats in the State.
The department of Panchayati Raj has begun the process of identifying villages lagging behind on development index due to extremism. The principal objective of implementing the Saryu Special Development Plan is to reap the dividends of the plan which is claimed to have helped the once naxal dominated village in latehar free from the grip of anti-establishment forces.
“There are around 300 to 400 such panchayats in Palamau, latehar, and Kolhan region. I have issued instructions to identify those villages and we are in the process of setting criteria of selection,” said Panchayati Raj Minister KN Tripathy.
Saryu’s march on the path of development is attributed to the timely action by security forces but it was the special development plan for the once Maoist’s stronghold that is said to brew disenchantment of the local populace for the leftwing extremism. The plan envisaged convergence of government schemes into MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) which played a vital role in preventing Maoism taking roots again. The department will converge programmes—watershed development, Rural livelihood Mission and Horticulture—besides programmes run by Drinking Water & Sanitation Department to loosen the grip of extremist groups. “The plan will be implemented panchayat wise and not block wise,” added the Panchayati Raj Minister.
Significantly, the department is also considering a proposal to double MNREGA labour budget if the existing budget of Rs 1605 crore is spent on the ambitious social sector scheme before Monsoon session of assembly commences. To strengthen the claim for a greater share in the budget the department is likely to tighten noose around Block Development Officers and is considering rewards for achievers while punishment for laggards.
“Works done for MNREGA will be the main basis for evaluating a BDO’s performance. Those who will not function will be returned to the Department of Personnel,” continued Tripathy who is also Minister for labour, Employment & Training.
Even as the department is facing flak for spending just Rs 900 crore in previous financial year the Minister rued lack of time due to Model Code of Conduct that was in effect in the General Election besides the moratorium on government expenditure that will be implemented before Jharkhand goes to Assembly Elections for underutilizing the sanctioned budget.
“We are gearing up to achieve the target expenditure of Rs 2000 crore in four months,” maintained Tripathy. Meanwhile, Jharkhand is also aiming at more number of houses under Indira Awas Yojna is likely to send a proposal to the central government after the results for lok Sabha elections are declared. The department is likely to ask for grants for two lakh houses under the programme against the current sanctioned limit of 49701 houses.