Plan board panel to monitor Attapadi schemes : India

Thiruvananthapuram :

The planning board will constitute a special committee to monitor the execution of welfare measures for adivasis in Attapadi by coordinating the activities of various departments.

This was disclosed by planning minister K C Joseph after a meeting of the planning board, which decided to monitor activities undertaken by the departments of planning, forest, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes welfare, rural development and social justice. He said the meeting had also decided to take immediate steps to improve the basic infrastructure facilities and health measures in the tribal belt.

The meeting urged the government to find immediate solution to the health concerns reported among Attapadi tribals. The board has also decided to help children from the region in continuing their studies by accommodating them in hostels in the neighbouring towns. They will be provided food, clothes and books. The meeting also decided to execute the revamped programme of  Attapadi Hill Area Development Society (Ahads).

Board vice-chairman K M Chandrasekhar said it would take steps to stop diversion of plan fund, for which a special scheme would be formulated. The Centre has accepted some demands of the state for change in guidelines for the implementation of several centrally-sponsored programmes.

The new central directive allows states to utilise 10% of funds as per guidelines finalised by them. Chief secretary E K Bharat Bhushan has been asked to study the revised instructions of planning commission in detail and submit a report to the government, Joseph said.

He said the meeting also decided to bring in changes in the road construction manual. The Central Public Works Department  manual would be followed for construction and roads constructed by the public works department will have a five-year guarantee like those laid under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Thiruvanathapuram / TNN / July 26th, 2013

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