Shimla, July 8 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu on Wednesday said the implementation of the Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) is not in the interest of the state.
He pointed out that in the previous scheme, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), the Central government had provided 100 per cent funding, while under the new scheme the state government is required to bear 10 per cent of the expenditure.
He said the state government is making efforts to strengthen the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, recognising its pivotal role in the holistic development of rural areas.
Presiding over a departmental review meeting here, the chief minister said that vacant posts in the department are being filled on priority to enhance administrative efficiency, adding that further recruitment would be undertaken in the coming days.
Sukhu said the state would provide Rs 30 crore to complete the ongoing construction of Panchayat Ghars across the state. He directed that additional funds be provided to complete the District Panchayat Resource Centre in Una.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering rural women, the chief minister said financial assistance is being extended to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to strengthen their livelihoods. He said 310 SHGs have already received credit assistance amounting to Rs 65.56 lakh.
To provide better marketing opportunities for SHG products, a Himachal Hat is under construction in Shimla, while showrooms are also being established at Pandoh and Kullu. A similar showroom is already operational in Dharamsala. He said food vans have been provided to SHGs to promote their enterprises and more such vehicles would be distributed in the future.
Reviewing the progress of various departmental schemes, the chief minister directed officers to expedite their implementation to ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries promptly.
He also instructed the Secretary (Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) to integrate all the department’s flagship schemes into the Chief Minister’s Dashboard for effective online monitoring.
–IANS
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