Provide adequate funds for Lok Sabha members to adopt villages, says A Sampath

NEW DELHI: A CPI(M) member in Lok Sabha today sought the Speaker's intervention to ensure more funds for adoption of villages under the Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana and greater coordination among various agencies to carry out developmental activities.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour, A Sampath, a member from Kerala, said even though he has adopted a village in his constituency Attingal, no developmental activities could be carried out due to lack of funds and co-ordination among various agencies.

As several members associated with him, he said this amounted to "humiliation" of the entire House as the lack of coordination was affecting developmental work under the Sansad Aadarsh Gram Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He appealed to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to ensure that adequate funds are made available for the programme as well as enhancing coordination among various agencies.

"You may give directions to government officials (in this regard)," Sampath said as many members supported him.

TMC member Saugata Roy urged the government to take steps to help the crisis-ridden West Bengal's jute industry, including protection from cheap imports.

Noting that 11 jute mills have been shut in as many days, Roy alleged that the Centre was not responding to pleas in this regard. Around one lakh people have been rendered jobless due to the crisis in the jute industry, he added.

K V Thomas (Cong) raised the issue of private health insurers not reimbursing money to the insured on various pretexts and urged the government to take note of it as it was working to allow more private participation in the insurance sector.