Jammu, March 12 (Scoop News) – Describing MLA as a vital institution in the democratic setup, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayats, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar reiterated the resolve of the government to strengthen it further to allow democracy to flourish in the State. He said the government for the first time involved them fully in formulation and implementation of different schemes carried out in their respective constituencies.
Winding up discussion on the demand of grants of the departments under his charge in Legislative Assembly here today, he said due care is being taken to accommodate the needs and views of the people to ensure that maximum benefits accrue to them within the stipulated time frame.
“We have organized around 21 Maha Gram Sabhas in different districts of the State, in which thousands of representatives of villages attended and put forth suggestions for the effective implementation of various rural development schemes including MG NREGA”, he said.
Referring to the role of MGNREGA in changing the rural landscape, building infrastructure and provide much needed employment avenues to the rural people, the Minister said that the scheme is being implemented with maximum transparency to ensure that the benefit reach to the targeted populace.
“The implementation of the scheme has even been appreciated by the recent team of the Planning Commission on visit to State, which observed that the scheme is being implemented transparently”, Sagar said adding that the team noted with satisfaction the benefits accruing to the poor even in cut off and far flung areas. It was in this context that the State has been ranked as No. 1 in fair implementation by a renowned media organization, he maintained.
Sagar said that MGNREGA has witnessed a quantum jump in its expenditure and around Rs. 400 crore has been utilized during the current financial year. He said the State is projecting Rs. 1455 crore for the next financial year and the wages being given under the scheme has also been increased from Rs. 110 to Rs. 121 per day so that more and more people are involved in the scheme.
“We will also appoint ombudsman at district level and state monitors have already been appointed to effectively monitor the implementation of the scheme and take care of complaints if any”, he added.
Giving an overview of other schemes like IAY, BRGF, SGSY and IWDP, the Minister said that due care is being taken to oversee the implementation of these schemes and the State has registered phenomenal growth in the implementation of these schemes as well.
Regarding the holding of Panchayati elections in the State, the Minister said that all the requisite formalities have been completed adding that for the first time elections for 3-tier Panchayats will be conducted on non party basis
“The Government is also setting up separate Finance Commission and Election Commission for Panchayats for which he said the Bills will be tabled in the ongoing session” he said adding that reservation for women and SC and ST population will also be ensured.
With regard to providing justice to the people at an earliest, the Minister said that several measures have been taken. He said 12 new courts have been opened after getting the proper sanction. An amount of over Rs. 27 crore has so far been released for upgrading the judicial infrastructure which includes the construction of district lower courts at Mominabad, Srinagar, construction of lawyers chambers at Jammu and Srinagar, construction of different courts at various district headquarters besides, construction of judicial academy at Mominabad-Bemina.
Sagar said that the provision of providing offices to the legislators will be examined and for enhancing their remuneration a Bill would also be introduced in the session.
Later, the House passed the demand No. 9 for an amount of Rs. 2337.01 lakh, demand No. 10 for an amount of Rs 16522. 22 lakh and demand No. 28 for an amount of Rs 32870.51 lakh with voice vote after the cut motions moved by several legislators were withdrawn.