NEED OF ENHANCEMENT OF FUNDS TO GUJARAT - VENKAIAH
NAIDU
The Union Minister for Rural Development, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu
during a meeting with Shri Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister of
Gujarat, here today, said that the first installment of funds
of Rs 20 crores is being released immediately to cope with the
severe drinking water scarcity in some parts of Gujarat. The Ministry
would release the second installments of Rs 20 crores after receiving
the utilization certificates from the state, he said. Shri Naidu
also agreed to Shri Modi’s request for setting up of a Fluoride
Mitigation Centre at Gandhinagar. Shri Naidu promised to discuss
the enhancement of funds for the state with Planning Commission
and Prime Minister after receiving the proposals from the State.
Saying that the success of any reforms in a state is in direct
proportion to the level of volunteerism in the state, Shri Naidu
urged Shri Modi to create an atmosphere which encourages people’s
participation under sector reforms in the areas of drinking water
and total sanitation. He said the state should do more towards
maximum utilization of funds allocated under various rural development
schemes. He also assured Shri Modi that the Ministry would clear
all proposals for total sanitation programmes.
Speaking over the utilization of Central funds for various Rural
Development schemes and performance of State, Shri Naidu said
that the District Collectors and DRDA Project Directors should
be sensitized over the issue and should also be made accountable
for their performance in their implementation. The Minister urged
the Gujarat government to send proposals for the schemes like
Prime Minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Indira Awas Yojana
(IAY), Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) Sampoorn Gramin
Rozgar Yojana (SGRY), Integrated Wastelands Development Projects
(IWDP) and others.
Shri Naidu will visit Gujarat on 23rd June, to review the implementation
of various Rural Development schemes. Shri Nitin Patel, Finance
Minister, Shri Narottam Patel, Minister for Water Supply, Shri
G. Subba Rao, Chief Secretary of Gujarat, Rural Development Secretary
Shri Arun Bhatnagar and other senior officials of the Ministry
were also present at the meeting.
