Maharashtra to have 'smart villages' with development plan

MUMBAI: Taking a cue from the Centre's Smart Cities project, Maharashtra government has conceived 'Smart Villages' scheme.

As per the 2011 Census, there are 40,960 'inhabited villages' in the state. Of the total population of 11.23 crore, 6.16 crore people live in the rural areas.

Maharashtra rural development minister Pankaja Munde told reporters here today that the proposal will be placed before the cabinet within a fortnight after which her department will start preparing a "village development plan".

"The rural development is happening without proper focus. After we get cabinet's approval, development will only be based on the village development plan. It will give importance to renewable energy and environment," she said.

Patoda in Aurangabad district and Deogaon in the Melghat region will be the model villages for the program. "These villages have developed through self-inspiration. For e.g., All the roads in Patoda are made of paver blocks, not concrete. This helps in percolation of water and water harvesting," she said.

There would be no separate allocation for the project; funds received under the 14th Finance Commission would be used. "What is needed is proper use of funds," she said.

The criteria for selection of villages will be similar to that of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana. In the first phase, 400 villages will be considered, of which 100 will be selected. Training and orientation programmes will be held for local elected representatives.

All the rural development-related schemes would be converged for the implementation of the program. "It is geared towards ensuring development in respect of health, underground water supply, underground drainage system, hospital and education," Munde said.