November 21, 2001

   The Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY), the Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), the Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS), the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), the Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP), the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP) and the Integrated Wasteland Development Programmes (IWDP) are the major Rural Development Programmes being implemented throughout the country, including the North-Eastern States. The total amount of funds released so far for the above-stated Programmes during 2001-2002 by the Ministry of Rural Development to the North-Eastern States including Sikkim is indicated below.

    The Ministry of Rural Development have developed a comprehensive system of monitoring through various mechanisms such as periodic Progress Reports, inspection by the State Government officials, field visits by Area-Officers, Meeting of the Performance Review Committee etc. to ensure achievements of targets fixed under the Schemes. The release of funds is subject to receipt of Utilization Certificates and Audit Reports. It has been impressed upon the State Chief Ministers also, from time to time, to ensure better utilisation of funds. Minister for Rural Development has also been visiting various States for review of the programmes and impressing upon the State authorities the need for effective and faster implementation of the Schemes, so far as to achieve the targets.

    In areas where there are no Panchayats, the Rural Development Programmes are implemented through traditional Panchayats/local bodies/village Councils/Village Development Boards etc.

    This information was given by Shri M.Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister for Rural Development in a written reply to a question by Shri W. Angou Singh in Rajya Sabha today.