Govt decides to integrate welfare plans

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 20

The state government will integrate various schemes such as Rural Development Fund, MGNREGA, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the horticulture mission to fund the ‘smart villages campaign’ announced by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh recently.

Over the next three-and-a-half years, the government plans to transform 12,581 villages on parameters such as social mobility, environmental sustainability, human resource development and infrastructure and governance.

Under the scheme, the government will grant Rs 5 crore (untied funds) to each MLA for development works. The MLAs have been asked to submit a proposal of development works to be executed in their constituencies. Similarly, the ‘Urban Environment Improvement Plan’ is being rolled out for urban areas.

Depending upon needs, each village would be judged at the three levels — essential, preferable and desirable — for implementing the campaign. A four-member committee, headed by the Deputy Commissioner, will benchmark the villages.  A government official said a ‘rural infrastructure operation and maintenance fund’ would also be created to ensure maintenance of the amenities.