MPs concerned over lack of funds for Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana scheme

NEW DELHI: Several MPs in Rajya Sabha today expressed concern over no provision of funds under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY), as the government said that works suggested by them would be given priority by concerned departments.

During the Question Hour, many members, including K P Ramalilngam (DMK), raised questions about the efficacy of the SAGY scheme asking how they could carry out developmental works when no extra funds were available.

A member also said that the scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in 2014 with "much fanfare".

In response, Rural Development minister Birendra Singh said some states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for this scheme.

As MPs expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of funds for the scheme, Singh said there was a suggestion to increase the MPLAD allocation keeping in mind the SAGY scheme.

He said while specific funds have not been allotted for SAGY, the departments of the central and state governments will give priority to works taken up by MPs in the model villages.

Another proposal which he wanted to be considered was that if a member provided an amount for a SAGY village from his own funds, then a matching grant should be provided to assist that work, the Minister said.

The HRD ministry was also working to see that there are no school drop-outs in SAGY villages while efforts were also being made to ensure provision of ration cards there.

There are certain social activities for which funds are not necessary, Singh said.