Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice Abdul Haq Khan today said that his department has cleared liability worth over Rs 400 crore and constructed 679 bridges and 2283 culverts in the State.
While replying to the discussion on working of Rural Development Ministry in the Upper House today, the Minister said that huge liability under MGNREGA and other schemes had been created by the previous regime and in last three years most of the liability has been cleared and massive funds for the other works were also released. He said there was no dearth of funds and the department was doing its best to improve the rural infrastructure.
The Minister said that various programmes and schemes launched by the Government aimed for holistic development of rural areas of the State. He said the effective implementation of RDD schemes has changed the lives of people by reshaping the rural economy. He said the department has laid a network of roads, bridges and culverts in the State under MGNREGA that has changed the socio-economic status of the rural populace. “In a first, RDD has done some commendable job after launching MGNREGA scheme in the State, which has been acknowledged at national level and has also won many awards in last three years,” he said.
Khan said his department has identified the rural connectivity a major challenge and hence took up the task to focus on rural connectivity in first two years and has constructed 679 bridges, 2283 culverts, 31337 roads during the period.
He also informed that the department has also constructed 2696 ponds, 885 check dams , 3617 water harvesting tanks , 561 play fields, 72 fisheries ponds, 55 Anganwari centers, renovation of 4622 traditional water bodies and 20143 micro irrigation works while providing jobs to 23.90 lakh persons.
“Our main focus is on water harvesting in Kandi areas including construction of water harvesting tanks, check dams and other small dams in upper belts to conserve the water,” he added.
He said that after introduction of technology to monitor the assets, all the assets in the districts have been geo-tagged and it is a touchstone of transparency that will enforce better monitoring, recording and management of development works at the cutting edge level.
He further informed that one ombudsman will be shortly engaged for all the districts in the State to look into complaints to bring transparency and accountability in the system. It was a breakthrough for the department in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the State by adopting e-FMS in which system allows direct transfer of fund from State Account to job card holder’s account, reducing human intervention and delays in wage payment, he said.
To boost self-esteem and self-confidence of women folk especially living in rural areas, the Minister informed that biggest success of UMEED scheme in the State is that currently 2.08 lakh women are associated with the 22270 Self Help Groups formed under the scheme in 68 blocks of the State.
He further stated that JKSRLM has also been entrusted with the responsibility of training and placing over 1.24 lakh State youth with an allocation of Rs 1,601.51 crore for a period of three years under Himayat Scheme.
Earlier, PDP member Khursheed Alam focussed on some grey areas and suggested to improve rural sanitation and build infrastructure in the villages. He said the condition of our model villages is very bad. There are not community halls, health centres, proper drinking water facility, power supply, sanitation, education, play grounds and other facilities. He said merely raising sign boards there we can not develop model villages. He said there was much more to do.
Firdous Ahmad Tak praised RDD for its efforts and said that it has infused new blood in the working of the department during last three years by involving rural populace in the development works, which is a breakthrough in itself. He said that the department has done commendable job in creating rural connectivity in remotest areas of the State including Marwah, Dachan, Paddar and Wadwan of Chenab belt.
Vibodh Gupta while complementing for the efforts of the department for the development of rural areas during last three years, said that the result is visible on ground and termed it a silent revolution. He demanded that employees working in MGNREGA schemes should either be regularized or their remuneration shall be hiked. He further suggested that Govt should fill up the BDOs vacancies on fast track basis.
Surinder Choudhary appreciated the working of RD Department and said RDD has undertaken all the works in a transparent manner and have ensured the development of rural areas through proper utilization of funds and schemes. He said that the funds provided under BADP should also be utilized for the development of border areas in a proper manner.
Pardeep Sharma while terming RDD as vital agency for the development for rural areas said that the department has achieved milestone in the developmental process of rural areas during last three years. He said that posts of BDOs to be filled up on fast track basis so that more people get benefitted and issues to be redressed in a stipulated manner. He stressed for a fresh survey under IAY scheme so that deserving families be included in the list. He also demanded for construction of community bathrooms in Poonch city.
Ramesh Arora sought attention of the department towards development of border areas in the State. He demanded that due payments of labourers to be released in time to lessen their miseries. He also said that department should establish a website to redress grievances of the people. He also stressed to adopt new technologies in rural areas for effective monitoring of RDD works.
Zaffar Iqbal Manhas said that because of the efforts of the department, development is seen on the ground. He said that it is worth to mention that department has seen a breakthrough in developmental process of rural areas. He stressed for judicious use of funds under IWMP in the Shopian district.
Yasir Reshi complemented the present dispensation and said that the department has revolutionized the rural areas through its people friendly and holistic approach. He also suggested for augmenting power supply system and creation of more durable assets in the State.
Sofi Yousuf, Charanjeet Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Saif-ud-Din Bhat and Ashok Khajuria also took part in discussion while the opposition stayed away.
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