ADVANI CALLS UPON PROJECT DIRECTORS FOR ALLROUND DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL AREAS

SUCCESS STORIES TO BE REPLICATED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY – K.C. PANT

RANA EMPHASISES UPON PROPER UTILISATION OF FUNDS, PEOPLE’S PARTICIPATION AND TRANSPARENCY

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF PROJECT DIRECTORS OF DRDAs BEGINS TODAY

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The Deputy Prime Minister, Shri L.K. Advani said that we are committed to make India a developed country by the year 2020. It is possible only if all the villages in our country have facilities of potable drinking water, shelter, roads, sanitation and health. Inaugurating National Conference of Project Directors of DRDAs here today, Shri Advani said the Project Directors of DRDAs and Chief Executives of Zilla Parishads have a pivotal role to play in the implementation of poverty alleviation and rural development schemes. They must perform this duty with utmost commitment and come up to the expectations of rural poor of this country. Their dedication can change the landscape of our rural areas and quality of life of people therein.

Shri Advani said the process of group formation and social mobilisation is important for socio-economic empowerment of poor people, especially women. Shri Advani lauded the efforts made by Self-Help Groups in Andhra Pradesh in this regard. It is important to strengthen these groups, build their capacities and make them socially and economically productive, Shri Advani added.

A compilation of success stories named "Parivartan" was released by Shri L.K. Advani, Dy. Prime Minister on this occasion.

Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri K.C. Pant said that the rural sector continues to be the focus of development efforts, as it is the home to 70% of our people and accounts of 75% of the poor. It, therefore, needs to be ensured that the policies and programmes that impinge upon the lives of the rural poor are well targeted and implemented effectively. Underlining the need of self employment opportunities for the rural poor, Shri Pant said that the Self-Help Group has to operate properly. He hoped that success stories under different programmes of rural development will be replicated in other parts of the country.

Minister for Rural Development, Shri Kashiram Rana underlined the need of proper utilisation of funds, people’s participation and transparency in implementation of rural development programmes. Shri Rana said the successful implementation of our rural development programmes needs clarity of purpose, dedication and commitment to the task. It is here that DRDAs and Zilla Parishads play a critical role. They can effectively enhance the quality of implementation of the programmes implemented through Panchayati Raj Institutions and other agencies through proper monitoring. Shri Rana further informed that based on the feed back received from different quarters, appropriate changes have been incorporated in the Guidelines of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana(SGSY), Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana(SGRY), Watershed Development Schemes, Drinking Water Schemes and Central Rural Sanitation Programme. Under SGRY, 75% of the food grains allocation will be released as first instalment to facilitate greater availability of resources during the working session. In North Eastern states, special dispensation in transportation of foodgrains under SGRY has been provided.

Shri Rana highlighted since inception of SGSY programme, about 15.5 lakh Self Help Groups have been constituted in the country. There was a meeting with the RBI, NABARD and other Public Sector Banks wherein they have assured timely credit to the SHGs as the recovery is over 98%, he further added.

Ministers of State for Rural Development, Shri Annasaheb M.K. Patil and Shri U.V. Krishnam Raju were also present there.

Shri Rana told that 18 States have reached target with the objective of providing connectivity with the population of more than 1000 persons. Under Rural Employment, 73 crore mandays have been generated during last year. This year, it is targeted to generate 100 crore mandays.

Shri M. Shankar, Secretary, Rural Development and Shri P. Mohandas, Secretary, Drinking Water Supply, Senior Officials of the Ministry and Project Directors and Chief Executive Officers of Zilla Parishads are participating in the Conference.