Honorarium of 4 lakh panchayat representatives increased

Bhopal: Four lakh panchayat representatives in the state will get increased honorarium. An increase of Rs. 4 thousand has been effected in Zila Panchayat Chairpersons, Rs. 4,500 for Janpad Chairpersons and five-fold increase has been made in honorariums of sarpanchas. All Gram Panchayats will be made e-Panchayats. For this, each Gram Panchayat will be provided Rs. one lakh. Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan made these important announcements at dialogue for village upliftment and Mahapanchayat of three-tier panchayat raj institutions at Jamboree Ground here today.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that rural economy in the state will be given fillip by empowering panchayat raj institutions and delegating more power to panchayat representatives. He exhorted sarapanchas and panchayat representatives to motivate youths to establish industries in villages. The State Government will give bank guarantee for setting up industries and will also bear 5 percent interest. Besides, margin money will also be given on setting up industries worth upto 50 thousand. He exhorted those present at the event to take a pledge to send every child of village to school. He said that elected panchayats are paramount.

The Chief Minister announced to enhance powers of sarpanchas to sanction works upto Rs. 10 lakh from Rs. 5 lakh. He announced to increase funds for construction of panchayat building to Rs. 15 lakh each and untied funds from 10 percent to 20 percent. The State Government wishes to modernise panchayats so that a direct dialogue can be established between the State Capital and Gram Panchayats.
The Chief Minister said that administrative hurdles coming in the way of sarpanchas working with full honour and dignity will be removed. Shri Chouhan exhorted sarpanchas to take pledge for sending children to school and ensuring vaccination. On the demand of sarpanchas, he said that committees working at village level will be under the Gram Panchayats.
Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that there are always chances of action under section 40 due to minor mistakes in panchayats’ accounts. It will be abolished now. At the same time, arrangement for accountants will also be made for panchayats and shortage of junior engineers for development works will be removed in phases. He also urged to make full and timely utilisation of funds available with Zila and Janapad Panchayats. Referring to making available MNREGA wages to labourers in time, he urged to make payment arrangements at development block level. He also urged to pay more attention to sanction maximum number of cases under the Mukhyamantri Aawas Mission and hold regular meetings of Gram Sabhas. Reiterating resolve for developing model villages, the Chief Minister said that new liquor shops will not be allowed in villages.
The Chief Minister said that Mukhyamantri Gram Sadak Yojna has been chalked out in view of non-receipt of funds from the Union Government under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna. He said that villages will not be allowed to lag behind despite non-cooperation of the Union Government. The State Government will continue construction of works from its own resources. Referring to Atal Jyoti Abhiyan for supplying power for 24 hours to village, Shri Chouhan said that 24-hour power supply will be made to all villages in the state in next few months. Its beginning has been made from Jabalpur.
Rajya Sabha MP and State BJP President Shri Narendra Singh Tomar compared panchayats with primary schools. He said that country cannot make progress without strengthening panchayats. He said that Maha-panchayat of panchayats is a historic day not only for the state, but entire country. He said that development of villages, poor and farmers is among top priorities of the State Government. Referring to unprecedented agriculture growth in the state and bestowal of Union Government’s Krishi Karman Award to Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is making rapid strides of progress and development. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Chouhan, more schemes are being implemented for further empowering panchayats in the state.
Panchayats & Rural Development Minister Shri Gopal Bhargava said that the State Government has implemented a series of innovative schemes without being dependent on the Union Government. About 1.50 lakh houses will be constructed this year under the Mukhyamantri Aawas Mission. He said that Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country to take initiative of improving internal village infrastructure under the Panch Parmeshwar Yojna. Describing sanction of only 84 thousand housing units under Indira Aawas Yojna to the state as injustice with Madhya Pradesh and its rural areas, Shri Bhargava said that the State Government had to chalk out its own schemes from its own resources as a result of non-cooperative attitude of the Union Government. He said that provision of Rs. 1400 crore will be made under Panch Parmeshwar Yojna next year also. Arrangement for transfer of panchayat secretaries will also be made after consulting sarpanchas. He urged sarpanchas to pay more attention to Maryada Abhiyan, construction of CC roads and Mukhyamantri Grameen Aawas Mission.
Minister of State for Panchayats Shri Dev Singh Sayyam stressed the need for more power to panchayats.
Animal Husbandary and Renewale Energy Minister Shri Ajay Vishnoi, Higher Education Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma, Women & Child Development Minister Smt. Ranjana Baghel, Revenue Minister Shri Karan Singh Verma, Energy Minister Shri Rajendra Shukla, Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen, Minister of State for Education Shri Nanabhau Mohod, Minister of State for Scheduled Castes Welfare Shri Harishankar Khatik, Chief Secretary Shri R. Parasuram, Chairpersons of Zila and Janpad Panchayats and over 70 thousand panchayat representatives including sarpanchas were present on the occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected an exhibition showcasing innovative methods adopted for rural development in the state and technologies suitable for rural environs. Panchayat Office-Bearers Association, Bhopal lauded the Chief Minister for innovative initiatives. Ashok Nagar Zila Panchayat Chairman Shri Manpreet read out a citation.
The Panchayat Office-Bearers Association felicitated the Chief Minister for starting Mukhyamantri Teerth-Darshan Yojna, Panch Parmeshwar Yojna, Ladli Laxmi Yojna, Gram Sadak Yojna, Mukhyamantri Aawas Mission and other innovative schemes.
Additional Chief Secretary Rural Development Smt. Aruna Sharma informed that under MNREGA, about 58 percent rural assets have been created, which is more than other states. Commissioner Panchayat Raj Shri Vishwamohan Upadhyay delivered the welcome address.
Sarpanch of Makroniya Gram Panchayat in Sagar district Smt. Lata Vankhede suggested that 40 percent funds of the State and Union government for rural development should be spent through Gram Panchayats. Sanctioned MNREGA funds should be released within a week. Gram Panchayats should have powers to avail services of lawyer in legal cases.
Mungawali Janpad Panchayat Chairman Shri Jangannath Singh suggested that separate budget should be made available to Gram Panchayats for drinking water arrangements.
Sehore Zila Panchayat Chairman Shri Dharmendra Singh said that the Chief Minister has enhanced dignity of panchayat representatives by implementing schemes like Panch Parmeshwar Yojna. On the occasion, Chief Minister Shri Chouhan inaugurated websites of Gram Panchayats of Sardar Nagar (Budhni), Jaswadi (Khandwa) and Mohanpur (Jhabua). Commissioner MNREGA Shri Ravindra Pastor proposed a vote of thanks.