MINISTER BISWAJIT CHAIRS RD&PR MONTHLY REVIEW MEETING

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister ShriThongamBiswajitSingh asked officials of the RD&PR department to conduct mass publicity or awareness campaigns on National Rural Livelihood Mission through the medium of radio or national television which can reach even the interior parts of the State.  The Minister also asked the MGNREGS officials to use real beneficiaries of the schemes instead of hiring actors during campaigning for the scheme.

The Minister made the suggestions during the first monthly review meeting of the department convened at his New Secretariat Conference Hall, on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by Secretary RD&PR ShriSumant Singh, DCs of all districts, director and officials of the department.

During a discussion on NRLM, the Minister observed that it is a good scheme and the officials concerned should educate the masses on the scheme from grass-root level.

Highlighting the grievances faced during implementation of the scheme in the State, Sumant Singh said any delay in release of fund affects proper implementation of the scheme.He continued that the scheme is a mobilisation programme for which the officials need to make field visits and identify the intended beneficiaries.

Replying to the officials who highlighted their grievances including lack of man-power, the Minister assured to strengthen man-power in the department and at the same time suggested that the concerned officials should coordinate with and properly inform the DCs of the work taken up in their respective districts under the scheme.

Regarding the works taken up under the PradhanMantri Gram SadakYojana (Rural Engineering dept), the Minister said it is necessary to communicate the details with the DCs concerned.

Further during the meeting, the Minister observed that beneficiaries for the PradhanMantriAwaasYojana-Gramin (PMAY-G)should be selected or identified through a rigorous process.

The RD&PR director said with the upcoming local body election in the State, the department lacks man-power for the smooth conduct of the election. Meanwhile, a department official informed the meeting that under the 100-day programme of the department, the construction of the ZillaParishad Building, Porompat will be completed by June 24.

Concerning the grievances of the DCs regarding DRDA including non-payment of salaries for the DRDA staff, the Minister suggested the DCs to submit a list of their grievances to the Secretary RD & PR Sumant Singh so that the issues can be redressed on a priority basis.