Jammu, March 10 (Scoop News) – Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that under MG NREGA the rural works to the tune of Rs 400 crore are being executed during current fiscal in the State, adding that under the programme, the government has fixed a target of Rs 1000 crore for during next financial year.
This was stated by the Minister while replying to the supplementary question raised by Vakar Rasool on the main question in Legislative Assembly here today.
The Minister said that under this programme, the infrastructure in every village is being developed. He said for the purpose the concerned legislators would identify more works to boost the development as the scheme is demand drive.
Replying to the main question, the Minister said that the government is developing infrastructures on the recommendations of legislators and other dignitaries subject to availability of funds on the analogy of model villages under state sector. He said 11 villages 10 in Kashmir and one in Jammu province have been taken up for infrastructure development under State sector during last fiscal and current financial year. He said for the purpose an amount of Rs 7.70 crore have been released, of which Rs 87.84 lakh expended upto January this year.
The Minister said that 1588 rural works under MG NREGA have been approved for execution in Banihal constituency during last fiscal and current financial year. He said the construction work of 1269 have been taken up, of which 734 works completed and an amount of Rs 13.22 crore have been expended so far on the execution of these works.
The Minister said that MG NREGA scheme in the State is strictly implemented as per norms and guidelines of the Centre. He said the scheme is demand driven with assured wages for the unemployed.
Rs 3.77 cr projects formulated for bridges in Shangus: Sagar
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar today informed the Legislative Assembly that detailed project reports of total Rs 3.77 crore for construction of two bridges over Arpath Nallah at Thajiwara Magripora road and Tailwani Khundroo road in Anantnag district have been formulated. He said that funds for the purpose would be explored under NABARD loan assistance for their inclusion in the projectization programme during next financial year subject to the availability of funds.
This was stated by the Minister in reply to a question by Peerzada Mansoor Hussain in the House here. He said upgradation of Achabal, Chattapal road was taken up during last financial year, adding that due to poor performance and failure of the contractor to execute the work as per the set schedule, the original contract was terminated and fresh bids were invited for the balance works, which has been stayed by the court.
The Minister also gave constituency-wise detailed information to the House about project sanctioned under RIDF-XV and XVI.
Committee on job to create new administrative units: Bahlla
Minister for Revenue and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla has said that the committee constituted for recommending creation of new administrative units in the State is on the job, adding that on receipt of the recommendations of the committee further action by the government would be taken for creation of new administrative units.
This was stated by the Minister while replying to a question by Yashpaul Kundal in Legislative Assembly here today. He said the report and recommendations of the revived committee to look into demands for creation of new administrative units upto dub-division level have not been received as yet. He said the said committee has been granted further extension upto July 7, 2011 to complete the unfinished task. He said as and when the recommendations of the committee are received further appropriate action would follow accordingly.
Raman Bhalla said that as of now, there is no such proposal under consideration of the government for grant of tehsil status to Basantgarh and Purmandal, adding that the recommendations of the revived committee received appropriate action would be taken in this regard.
In reply to the supplementary of Harshdev Singh, the Minister said that government would consider the recommendations of the committee for creation of new administrative units while ruling out any political interference in the working of the committee.
Intervening on the subject, the Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone asked the legislators to refer their grievances and demands for creation of new administrative units to the committee, expressing satisfaction of the working of the committee.
Rs 27.52 lakh spent under IWDP in Shopian: Sagar
Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar today informed the Legislative Assembly that haryali scheme has been launched in Shopian district during 2005-06 to provide full benefits to the farmers and orchardists, besides generate employment opportunities for the unemployed youth of the area.
This was stated by the Minister while replying to a question by Abdul Razak Zawoora here in the House.
The Minister said that under IWDP 22 works at a total cost of Rs 37.25 lakh was taken up in the district and so far Rs 27.52 lakh have been incurred on these works. He said that so far 14 works have been completed under this programme in the area.
Proposal to enhance SPO’s honorarium sent to Centre: Sagar
Minister for Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that Government is serious to redress the grievances of SPOs of the State, adding that a proposal for enhancement of honorarium to SPOs from Rs 3000 per month to 5000 per month has been submitted to the Centre. He said after receiving the approval from the Centre, the honorarium of SPOs would be enhanced.
This was stated by the Minister while replying to a question by Balwant Singh Mankotia here in the House.
The Minister said that the engagement of SPOs is purely temporally in nature. However, the government in the Home department has formulated a comprehensive policy for their absorption as constables or followers upto the extent of 15 percent of the available vacancies on the grounds fixed by the government.
He said those SPOs who take part in operations having excelled in sports and won first, second and third position in individual on team events at State and National level, having ITI diploma in different trades are AICTE recognized diploma in computer subject to their qualifying in the trade text are being given priority in selection as constables.
The Minister said as per this policy, SPOs who have crossed the age limit of 28 years but are within 37 years of age and have completed three years engagement are also eligible to apply for appointment to the post of constable and followers on competitive basis
The Minister said that VDCs are constituted on voluntary basis, comprising small group of civilians in the identified villages for providing security to their villages. He said in view of the voluntary nature of service no remuneration or honorarium is being paid to the VDC.
The Minister however said that SPOs working in the VDC’s are paid honorarium on the same rate as is being paid to other SPOs.
The Minister said that government would also consider genuine demands of VDCs and SPOs and in this regard the necessary action would be taken at appropriate timeframe, adding that suggestions and consonance of legislators would be also incorporated.
Legislators, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Abdul Majid Wani, Mir Saifullah, Harshdev Singh, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, G.M. Saroori, and Ashok Khajuria, raised the supplementaries on the main questions and highlighted the demands of SPOs and VDC’s in the House. They underscored the need for formulation of rules and regulations for safeguarding the service rights of SPOs