Remove anomalies from BPL list: CM

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 20

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh presided over a state-level meeting of the Grievances Redressal Committee here today.

He said the panchayats that had been affected due to the delimitation of the Vidhan Sabha constituencies, wherein a portion of that panchayat had fallen in another constituency, could be reorganised or split into two, provided the government received a proposal from them.

Referring to several proposals received by the government on bifurcation of panchayats, he said only those panchayats that suffered due to the delimitation would be entertained.

However, as per the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI), the proposal for bifurcation or creation of new gram panchayats could be considered six months before the general elections of the PRI which is due in December 2015.

Directing the departments concerned to remove anomalies from the Below Poverty Line (BPL) list, he said, “It has come to my notice that the BPL benefits are not reaching poor families as a few people get names of their family members incorporated in the BPL list and genuine persons are left behind.”

He said the right of the people living in the periphery of the Great Himalayan National Park would be sustained.

While referring to the problems of water and electricity in community centres, the Chief Minister said the panchayats should take up the responsibility of repair works.

“The problem of simians and stray cattle is alarming and necessary steps will be taken to curb the same,” he said, while replying to the grievances of people on monkey menace.

He also directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to pursue the matters of forest clearance, so that roads could be constructed without any delay.

He said the survey of the tunnel beneath Jalori Pass was being done and directed the authorities concerned to complete the road from Jibhi to Garagusaini in Kullu district.