Mangalore: When the time came for review of progress achieved in implementing Central schemes by local committee set up for monitoring the work done, there was disappointment and not satisfaction on Friday at a meeting held.
Both city MP Nalin Kumar and DC/M Subhod Yadav were critical of the poor progress made to far, in rural employment scheme due to which migration of rural people to larger towns and cities could not be prevented the officials (on whom they relied in on) failed to give clear-cut answers, nor assurances that they would carry on well. Over 85% of allotted funds have remained without use, and it could not be spent in just 40 days in the current financial year, Nalin pointed out. Yadav on his part, made repeated statements that there was no other rural scheme more valuable to common citizens than the employment implementation. The DK Dt had so far spent only 12% or Rs33 lakhs out of Rs.3.56 crores in Sullia, Rs.62 lakhs out of Rs.4.47 crores allocated to Puttur, Rs 1.17 crore out of Rs %.80 crores meant for Belthangady.
Rs.80 lakhs from a fund of rs.5.30 crores in Mangalore and Rs.1.91 crores out of Rs.5crore given to uplift Bantwal! The DC did not buy the argument of executives that they did not have sufficient staff to carry out tasks in rural areas. He stressed on implementation when enough funds were made available by the Govt of India.
Yadav asked the officials to hold meetings at the GP levels twice a month and supervise the work done at the grass root levels in villages to free suffering common people from their problems. Small and marginal farmers should be sorted out at the Taluka levels, DC explained. CEOs and Tahsildars could hold Taluka meetings to find solutions to pressing problems, Yadav indicated.
It was surprising that very few Job Card holders looked around to do jobs. ZP CEO P.Shivashankar pointed out at this juncture, on paying (not Rs100), some progress was made by January this year. Ullal MLA, U.T.Khader suggested that officials have to meet beneficiaries of rural schemes. MP and DC both agreed to this practical suggestion.