One hundred top performing gram panchayats in the State under the Seven Star rating programme conceived by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will be awarded cash prizes ranging from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, Minister for Panchayat Raj and IT Nara Lokesh said on Friday.
Addressing a review meeting on panchayat raj, rural development and IT at the Collectorate here, Mr. Lokesh recalled that NREGS funds of ₹18,000 crore were spent between 2006 and 2014, but funds to the tune of ₹4,500 crore lapsed and were returned to the Centre. In contrast, the State government spent NREGS funds of ₹20,000 crore since 2014. Stating that the Seven Star programme was yet to percolate down to the field level, he advised officials to propagate it.
Noting that field assistants were negligent in providing work to labour under the NREGS, Mr. Lokesh warned that those showing less than 75% progress would be terminated from service. Urging them to strive for 100% progress, he said the government brought changes in the NREGS and linked it to several developmental programmes.
SC colonies
The Minister said the labour component must be enhanced by linking works of vermicompost units, solid waste management and agriculture-related activities. All the government programmes such as cement concrete roads and street lighting must be started from SC colonies, he said. In case of obstruction from sarpanches, works must be started as per the gram sabha resolutions.
Superintending Engineer of Panchayat Raj Subbarayudu said 111 km of PR roads were laid so far out of a target of 596 km.
Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh sought underground drainage work expedited in Kurnool city.
Mr. Lokesh said he would sanction the bills only when roads were laid with avenue plantation. Potholes on roads must be repaired with road ambulances, he said.
Electronic firms
Mr. Lokesh promised development of Rayalaseema region as an electronic manufacturing hub was coming up in Kurnool district which would generate employment to youth.
Responding to a demand made by Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy, Mr. Lokesh promised to persuade home-grown IT companies to invest in Kurnool district.
Stating that Sarpanches were the backbones of villages, Mr. Krishnamurthy told Mr. Lokesh not to wean away their powers.
Mr. Lokesh said the powers of sarpanches would not be curbed, but stern action would be taken if they obstructed development.