By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,
Bhopal: Union Minister for Rural Development Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has reiterated the United Progressive Alliance, (UPA), Government’s commitment for the betterment of common masses especially the rural folks across the country.
According to a Press release issued by Press Information Bureau, (PIB), addressing the media in New Delhi on Friday Dr. Singh claimed that during the last four successful and productive years of the UPA Government in office many important milestones were achieved by the Ministry of Rural Development, (MORD).
Dr. Singh also released a book titled “Eight Years (2000- 2008) of Rural Development Programmes at a Glance: A Report to the People” on this occasion. . This book contains a comparisons with the previous period. The main highlights of the report are:
Enhanced Financial Allocation: During the years 2000-2004, an amount of Rs. 47,910 crore had been released to States. As against this, during the years 2004-2008, an amount of Rs. 1,17,540 crore have been released/utilized. In fact, in 2008-09, MORD is providing an assistance of Rs. 49,400 crore, which is higher than the total assistance provided by previous Government in four years. It shows the pro-poor and pro-rural commitment of the UPA Govt..
Due to enhanced allocation from 2004-05 for rural development programmes, as against 10th Plan outlay of Rs. 76,774 crore, an amount of Rs. 1,14,069 crore has been utilized i.e. 48.6 per cent higher than original outlay.
Higher Physical Targets Achieved: In order to provide assured wage employment in rural areas, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, (NREGA), was enacted. Wage employment generated increased from 260 crore mandays in 2000-04 to 497 crore mandays during 2004-08, an increase of above 91 per cent.
Under the self-employment generation scheme of Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana, (SGSY), during 2000-04, 36.67 lakh individuals were economically assisted, which has increased to 56.53 lakh during 2004-08, which is 54 per cent higher.
The progress under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, (PMGSY), are impressive due to focused implementation as a component of Bharat Nirman. While habitation covered was 13776 in the period 2000-04, it increased to 34156 in the last four years, which is 148 per cent higher. Similarly, roads constructed increased from 51511 kms. to 110160 kms. in the comparative period.
During the years 2000-20004, 52.52 lakh houses were allotted under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY). As against this, during 2004-2008, 65.42 lakh houses have been allotted at enhanced unit cost, which is 24 per cent higher during this period.
The old age pension scheme was renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, (IGNOAPS), and was launched on 19-11-2007. The estimated number of beneficiaries under IGNOAPS is 157 lakh persons as compared to the 87-lakh persons covered under NOAPS. The annual coverage during 2000-2004 was about 80 Lakh/annum which has gone up to 140 Lakh/annum.
To improve productivity of wastelands, to mitigate and combat adverse effects of desertification, to restore ecological balance and strengthen natural resource management, Area Development programmes namely Drought Prone Area Programme, (DPAP); Desert Development Programme, (DDP). and Integrated Wastelands Development Programme, (IWDP), are implemented. While during the period 2000-04, 116 lakh hectares of land was treated, it increased to 129 lakh hectares during 2004-08.
Safe drinking water provisions were made by covering 1.92 lakh habitations during 2000-04 under Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme, (ARWSP), but due to enhanced emphasis, the coverage increased to 4.20 lakh habitations during 2004-08.
Under Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), 3.62 crore individual household latrines, 5.14 lakh school toilets and 1.85 lakh balwadi toilets were constructed during 2004-08, which is much more than what was constructed in the period 2000-04, i.e 0.77 crore, 0.88 lakh and 0.10 lakh respectively.
The pace of implementation has got a boost across the country due to strict and close monitoring from level of Rural Development Minister, the release claimed.
e-Governance has been applied for improving the monitoring. Ministry has developed an excellent monitoring information system for all its programmes which are widely appreciated, the release said. ([email protected])