Super Village Challenge to change growth framework: DC

Bijendra Ahlawat

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Tribune News Service

Palwal, February 19

The first round of the Super Village Challenge has reportedly made all 260 villages in Palwal district free of polythene. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Krishan Pal Gurjar recently handed over appreciation certificates to some panchayats for good work as part of the drive.

A spokesperson of the district administration said Palwal was perhaps the first district in the country to successfully launch and implement a real-time competitive model. The spokesperson said 13 villages had secured the top slot, making these eligible for a special grant of Rs 8 lakh each for carrying out development work at the local level.

The spokesperson said Rs 1.5 crore had been allocated for the purpose. The spokesperson added that the village panchayats securing second and third positions would be allocated work orders worth Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively.

Mani Ram Sharma, Palwal DC, said the competition had yielded an overwhelming response and could go a long way in changing the development concept and its framework in villages. He claimed that all 260 villages had become free of polythene.

He said a majority of panchayats had adopted a policy to work on measures to root out everyday problems concerning garbage disposal and cleanliness. He said at least 30 panchayats had installed soak pits and vermin-compost pits to improve liquid waste management and manure facilities.

He said the competition had prompted many gram panchayats to start or strengthen various ventures that targeted issues like women empowerment and community engagement. He said over 100 self-help groups had been formed.

Regarding digital literacy, he said around 5,500 student registrations had been done under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan. Of these, 2,500 youths had attained digital literacy certificate, he pointed out.

A study group of 20 research students and teachers from Case Western University in Ohio, US, and Northwestern University, UK, who visited Palwal recently, expressed interest in further research. Gurjar had reportedly announced a matching grant of Rs 1.5 crore from his MP fund for such an initiative.