Timely implementation of schemes vital: Shandil
The timely implementation of various government schemes was necessary, stated Health and Family Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment and Soldier Welfare Minister DR Shandil while reviewing the implementation of the 20-point programme here today.
Notably, this was the first review meeting to be held in the present two-year tenure of the Congress government. The last meeting was held in 2018 during the tenure of the previous BJP government. Initiated by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the 20-point programme is aimed at ameliorating the lot of the common man through a slew of development schemes.
Shandil had been drawing flak from various quarters for failing to hold this meeting for the last two years
He said the possibility to set up a centre for the sale of products of self-help groups would be explored in Solan on the lines of Shee Hatt set up on the Nahan-Kumarhatti highway. “Women are making a positive contribution to their own and the state’s economy by joining self-help groups. Shee Haat, located in Sirmaur district, is showing a new path to all women today. Solan is one of the busiest industrial and transportation centres of the country. Opening a marketing centre for women’s products at such a place is in the interest of all,” he stated.
He directed Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Solan Manmohan Sharma to explore the possibilities of setting up such a centre on Solan-Parwanoo National Highway. The Health Minister said on the demand of the local people, a fire station would be set up in Kandaghat.
“The main objective of this meeting is to review such schemes which are helpful for the uplift of the weaker sections of society. The timely implementation of various welfare schemes is necessary,” he stressed.
He directed the DC to take appropriate action against the officials who were absent from the meeting. The minister directed that regular surprise inspections should be ensured to provide safe food items to the people in the district. He further told the officials to ensure that land was made available to the affected people who were rendered homeless in the last year’s rain-induced disaster in the rural areas.
Dr Shandil said increasing population and decreasing resources were a matter of concern for all. “The apt use of limited resources is necessary,” he remarked.
There are 65,000 active job cards in Solan district under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). So far in this financial year, 6.79 lakh working days had been earned and Rs 35 crore had been spent on various development works.
It was mentioned in the meeting that plastic waste management unit was being established in every development block of Solan district. After the establishment of this unit, all gram panchayats would be able to charge cleanliness cess. At present, out of the total 240 gram panchayats in the district, 65 were charging this cess.
Road stretches, measuring 291 km, were being constructed in Solan district under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana in this financial year. Deputy Commissioner Manmohan Sharma assured the minister that the compliance of his instructions would be ensured and the suggestions given by the non-official members would be considered in detail. He said the land had been identified for setting up a fire sub-station in Kandaghat.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Solan Ajay Yadav conducted the proceedings of the meeting. Mayor of Municipal Corporation Solan Usha Sharma, senior officials of various departments and non-official members of the committee were present at the meeting.
