GUWAHATI : Union Minister of State for rural development, Ram Kripal Yadav, who was on a two day visit to Assam from Friday, visited Khetri Gaon Panchayat under Dimoria Development Block on Saturday and inspected the schemes under PMAY-G, MGNREGA, 14th FC etc. and also interacted with the beneficiaries.
He also participated in an interactive session with 100 members of 10 SHGs and visited a village organisation. Yadav was accompanied by Minister, P & RD, Assam Naba Kr Doley, Commissioner, P & RD Dr P. Ashok Babu and other senior officers of the department. During his visit the Union Minister said that the Centre would consider to provide houses to 21 lakhs eligible left-out households under PMAY-G.
Earlier, on Friday after reaching Guwahati, Union Minister had reviewed the progress of implementation of rural development programmes namely, PMAY-G, MGNREGA, NSAP, RURBAN Mission, SAGY, ASRLM, PMGSY etc. under P & RD, PWD, Agriculture and Revenue departments in Assam.
Principal Secretary of Panchayat and Rural Development, Dr. J B Ekka explained about the status of various ongoing schemes giving a presentation on progress and performance of PMAY-G, MGNREGA, NSAP and other component. Progress of Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission and State Institute of Panchayat and Rural Development was also summed up during the session.
Out of 3,17,957 numbers of incomplete houses under IAY as on 1st April, 2016, a total of 2,82,975 houses have been completed as on date. On the other hand, under PMAY-G out of 2,59,814 targeted houses 32,029 units have been completed and construction of the remaining 2,27,785 units are in progress and will be completed by January, 2019.
Since inception the volume and variety of schemes taken up under MGNREGA have increased many folds. Under this scheme the highest amount of Rs. 1534.53 crore was utilized in the year 2017-18 and the highest number of assets of 53,475 has been created in this year. Target is set to complete the incomplete schemes under MGNREGA by August, 2018. The department also takes initiative to translate the Muster Circular and Operational Guideline of MGNREGA into vernacular languages for easy and better understanding by the field functionaries and good governance. The department has also initiated for the recruitment of Ombudsperson for all districts.
In case of NSAP, Assam has started Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of NSAP pension since April, 2017. A total of 7,83,741 beneficiaries under NSAP are availing benefit from the scheme. Union Minister is also briefed about the initiative of state government regarding universal coverage of old age pension which is proposed to be launched on 2nd October, 2018.