SENAPATI, Jan 27 (NNN): The Deputy Commissioner who is also the Executive Director of DRDA, Senapati had a dialogue with the chairmen and secretaries of the villages falling under Mao-Maram (Tadubi), Paomata and Purul TD Blocks of Senapati District after the formal programme of 64th Republic Day Celebration at Multipurpose Hall, Mini Secretariat in the presence of officials from DRDA, Senapati and Food and Civil Supplies discussing many important issues related to the implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes like MGNREGA, IWMP, IAY and other food and civil supply programmes such as Fair Price Shop rice and kerosene.
P.K.Jha, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/Executive Director, DRDA, Senapati addressed the gathering of around 250 village authorities. He stated that the main purpose of the meeting was to discuss and interact with the village leaders on the issue of implementation of MGNREGS and other centrally sponsored schemes where the role of village authority is very crucial and important.
He advised that ‘durable’, long lasting assets should be created under the scheme for the overall development of the people. He suggested that genuine works like rain water harvesting activities, conversation of soil and moisture activities such as afforestation and plantation of fruit bearing trees should be taken up under the scheme.
P.K.Jha also pointed out that the scheme gives villagers a room to make their own plan according to the felt needs of the people while cautioning the participants that failing to do so will be the lost of the people.
In the backdrop of huge amount of money coming directly to the village authority account under MGREGS, the Deputy Commissioner who is also the District Programme Coordinator sternly cautioned the village leaders to adhere to basic tenets and principles of the guidelines and implement the scheme with commitment and sincerely maintaining all the relevant records. He further shared that failing to maintain all the mandatory records and implement the scheme properly will attract problem and complications.
He also appreciated some of the villages which are implemented the scheme in the right spirit creating durable assets for the benefit of the villagers. He lauded such villages and encouraged them to be the role model.
The village leaders also raised various issues regarding the MGNREGS scheme, PDS, Old Age pension among others to which the Deputy Commissioner assured prompt and timely action to address the grievances and to deliver better administration a ‘public hearing’ on monthly basis shall be convened, he promised the participants and stated on his Republic Day Speech as well.
Citing the Supreme Court ruling on the FCS rice and kerosene agent, the Deputy Commissioner also stated that village authority can also become the agent to lift and deliver FCS items to the villagers according to their needs and wants. While highlighting serious problems faced in regard to the lifting and delivery of FCS items due to pressures from various groups, he assured that all possible measures will be taken to ensure the timely delivery of the items.
The Deputy Commissioner also stressed upon the importance of Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) that the programme aim to conserve natural resources, soil and moisture, enhance livelihood capacity by constructing various water harvesting structures and taking up plantation works.
The meeting also marked the interactive dialogue with the District Administration and the village leaders where both sides exchange views, ideas, grievances building better understanding and partnership measures in endeavoring the efficient and transparent governance.