Govt plans meet to review rural growth schemes

NEW DELHI: Following up on Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s call for optimum utilisation of funds to Central rural development schemes, the government is now planning to hold a two-day conference of states here to initiate a review of projects related to roads, rural development and land reform.
The meet is tentatively planned for January 27-28 and is expected to be inaugurated by the PM, in a concerted effort to get states to achieve results on the ground. Among the key programmes that will be reviewed on the basis of different parameters are the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) and the Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGSY).
Sources said three main issues would be tackled — leakage of funds from projects, measures to expedite the achievement of real results on the ground (as opposed to mere statistical achievements), as well as effective utilisation of outstanding amounts by states prior to the beginning of a new financial year. Non utilisation of funds to projects has, in many cases, impacted negatively on the achievement of results on the ground.
In addition, many states have not been providing their matching share for programmes of the rural development ministry. At an all India level, the shortfall in funding from states has been estimated at over Rs 15,015.18 lakh (Rs 150 crore). The ministry has been impressing upon states that they have to release their full share under different programmes, since a shortfall in the release of states’ share results in proportionate cuts in Central releases.
In exceptional cases, though, the ministry has released funds on assurance from states regarding release of its share so that programme implementation is not adversely affected.
Interestingly, the PM associated himself directly on December 25, his birthday, with the launch of Swajaldhara programme for potable water provision in rural areas. The funding pattern for that programme was drastically altered in order to ensure optimum and effective utilisation of funds.