Impartiality, effective utilisation must for quick rural development, says panel deputy chief

Deputy Chairman of the State Decentralised Planning and Development Committee D.R. Patil has emphasized the need for being impartial in issues of development and effective utilization of funds released by the governments for expediting rural development.

He was chairing a progress review meeting on the District Annual Draft Development Plan of all districts under Belagavi Division in Dharwad on Monday.

Mr. Patil said that steps should be taken to ensure that people developed a strong feeling that their development is possible only through participation.

“To facilitate this, decentralisation of planning and power should happen. Then only panchayat raj system will get a proper shape,” he said.

The senior Congressman called upon the officials to involve themselves in shramadan at least once in a month to develop a positive mindset among villagers about hygiene and sanitation.

“Let us be happy by working within the framework of the government guidelines. If you respect the feelings of the people and respond to their demands, they will treat you like a deity. Let us utilise the positions given to us to ensure the progress of the people,” he said.

Mr. Patil underscored the need for ensuring availability of graveyards in every village in Belagavi Division before March 31 next, calling it a basic requirement.

Terming the Chakkadi Raste (bullock card road) initiative taken by Navalgund MLA and Dharwad MLA as a model initiative, he said that the success achieved is because of involvement of rural people and farmers.

Mr. Patil said that the officials have the responsibility of materialising the Gram Swaraj dream of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that to facilitate this, participation of the people is crucial.

The District Annual Development Plan should include the demands and aspirations of the people of all strata of society, he said.

Navalgund MLA N.H. Konaraddi emphasised the role of officials in taking the benefits of government schemes to the people. He said that a 300-km Chakkadi Raste has been laid in Navalgund Assembly segment with the cooperation of all stakeholders.

Regional Commissioner of Belagavi Division Janaki K.M. emphasised the need for involving all stakeholders and ensuring transparency and adherence to rules and regulation at the planning level.

She also directed the officials to observe the fourth Sunday of every month as Cleanlisess Week and take up a cleanliness drive in villages and urban areas through community participation.

Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu G.R.J. said that effective implementation with coordinated efforts is the key to resolution of various problems.

Deputy Commissioners of various districts, including C.N. Sridhar, K. Lakshmipriya and Mohammad Roshan, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officers Bhuvanesh Patil, Rahul Shindhe and Dileesh Sasi, Chairman of Karnataka Bala Vikas Academy Sangamesh Babaleshwar and various other officials were present.