How is Shivraj Chauhan Monitoring Development Schemes?

New Delhi, July 27 (NationPress) The Union Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has called upon district officials to accelerate the rollout of the PM Awas Yojna and Lakhpati Didi initiatives.

During his visit to the Vidisha parliamentary constituency, Chouhan convened a meeting of the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) in Raisen. This meeting focused on essential public welfare topics, including strategies to combat black marketing of fertilizers, addressing the sale of counterfeit fertilizers, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Lakhpati Didis under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, and improvements in water infrastructure.

While assessing the progress of the PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) – Awas Plus, Chouhan emphasized that the program must be executed in a manner that ensures beneficiaries receive their payments promptly. He insisted on maintaining zero tolerance for negligence in construction activities and called for stringent oversight at the district level to guarantee on-time project completion. In the fiscal year 2024-25, approximately 27,981 houses have been sanctioned across all Gram Panchayats in the district, with 4,825 completed and 23,156 currently under construction.

Chouhan also evaluated the advancements under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, requesting a comprehensive count of Lakhpati Didis, highlighting the importance of empowering more women to achieve the status of Lakhpati Didis through a well-defined action plan. Presently, the district boasts 43,613 Lakhpati Didis.

During the review of the agricultural department's initiatives, the Union Minister mandated severe penalties for individuals involved in black marketing or the sale of counterfeit fertilizers, viewing such actions as a serious injustice to farmers.

He further probed into the procurement of ‘moong’ (green gram) and directed officials to inspect procurement centers.

In discussing roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the Minister instructed that all villages should be interconnected with main roads, thereby enhancing rural connectivity and access to essential services. Reports indicated that for the 2024-25 plan, 30 roads spanning 276.236 km have been approved, with 28 already completed. Out of 13 sanctioned bridges, nine have been finalized. The meeting also included a review of the National Highways Authority of India work.

Chouhan instructed agricultural officers to routinely visit fields and provide farmers with guidance on suitable pesticides for crop diseases. He underscored the importance of utilizing Krishi Vigyan Kendras to relay the latest agricultural methodologies and urged preparations for the rabi (winter) crop season. Upon learning that Basmati rice from the district faced rejection in international markets, he urged officials to educate farmers on the dangers of using internationally banned pesticides.

In his review of the Water Resources Department, Chouhan sought information about the reservoirs and pond water storage status. He reiterated that under the Jal Jeevan Mission, every household should have access to tap water, and all incomplete projects must be finalized as soon as possible. He also assessed the Energy Department's progress, particularly regarding ongoing electricity substations, and instructed that these projects be expedited.