7th November, 2002
Ministry of Rural Development  


SHANTA KUMAR CALLS FOR REMOVING DEFICIENCIES IN IMPLEMENTATION OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES


The Rural Development Minister Shri Shanta Kumar has called for removing all deficiencies in the implementation of the schemes and programmes of the Ministry. Making his opening remarks at the two-day meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry here today, he said that we must review all the schemes without any preconceived ideas. Shri Shanta Kumar expressed the hope that the discussion will be free, frank and open. He said the bottlenecks will be removed to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach the target groups. The two-day brainstorming session of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee has been convened to discuss the guidelines for implementation of the scheme and to find out if any changes are required.

During the day presentations were made by senior officials on the schemes like Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana, Sampoorna Grameen Rojgar Yojana, Rural Housing Schemes, CAPART, Drinking Water Schemes and Sanitation.

Participating in the discussion members pointed out that implementation of the schemes is the biggest challenge. They said while formulating the schemes, these difficulties should be given due attention. They highlighted the difficulties faced by the Self-help Groups in dealing with the banks. It was also pointed out that the interest charged by the banks to the Self-help Groups is high compared to other institutions. Some members suggested that financing of the Sampoorna Grameen Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) schemes should be made mandatory for the banks to ensure the participation of the banks.

On the housing schemes, members pointed out that the cost per unit under the Indira Awaas Yojana is not practical and it should be increased. It was also pointed out that guidelines are being violated in the implementation of Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY). They said, contractors are being engaged for construction work contrary to guidelines and the details of persons engaged for manual work is not being maintained. On the Drinking Water Schemes, members suggested that rainwater harvesting should be made mandatory for the housing schemes and mechanism to ensure recharging of ground water should also be taken up simultaneously. Almost all the members demanded that their participation in the functioning of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) and implementation of the schemes should be ensured and directives should be sent to the state government on this.

Members of Parliament who attended today’s meeting are Shri Chinmayanand Swami, Shri P.S. Gadhavi, Shri Chintaman Wanage, Shri G. Mallikarrjunappa, Shri Adhi Sankar, Shri T.M. Selvaganpathi, Shri Raghuraj Singh Shakya, Shri Shivaji Mane, Shri Madhab Rajbangshi, Shri A.F. Golam Osmani, Shri Bheru Lal Meena, Shri Bhal Chandra Yadav, Shri P.D. Elangovan, Shri E. Ponnuswamy, Smt. Rama Pilot, Shri Dalit Ezhimalai, Shri Sunder Lal Patwa, Shri Sunder Lal Patwa, and Shri P.R. Kyndiah. The members from Rajya Sabha who attended the meeting are Shri Shyam Lal , Sh. Kailash Joshi, Sh. Kailash Joshi and Shri A. Sudershan.