Himachal Pradesh launches Panchvati Yojana, Opens Employment under MNREGA to Boost Rural Development

What is Panchvati Yojana 

Government of Himachal Pradesh launched ‘Panchvati Yojna’ for senior citizens of rural areas of the State under which parks and gardens would be developed in every Development block with necessary facilities under MNREGA Scheme.  

The main objective of this Yojna is to provide an opportunity to the elderly people to spend their leisure time in entertainment and strolling in these parks and gardens. 

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that these parks and gardens would be developed on leveled land of minimum one bigha with convergence of MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), and 14th Finance Commission to enhance the life expectancy keeping in view the health requirements of the senior citizens.   

He said that ayurvedic and medicinal plants would be grown in these parks, besides providing recreational equipment, walking tracks, and other basic amenities for elderly people. 

100 parks to be developed in the current financial year: 

During the current financial year as many as 100 such parks would be developed in different parts of the State.  

Related Link – 

https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/latest-update-himachal-to-provide-50-subsidy-on-seeds-for-kharif-sowing/ 

https://krishijagran.com/agriculture-world/good-news-himachal-launches-mukhya-mantri-1-bigha-scheme/ 

Under the first phase, the scheme is launched in following Blocks 

Development Block Gohar, district Mandi, Development block Bangana in district Una, development blocks Banjar and Naggar in district Kullu, development block Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti district, development blocks Nagrota Bagwan and Sullah in Kangra district, development blocks Paonta Sahib and Pachhad in Sirmaur district, development blocks Tissa and Bhatiyat in Chamba district, development block Kalpa in Kinnaur district, development block Kandaghat in Solan district, development block Rohru in Shimla district and development block Nadaun in Hamirpur district.

Government is focusing on rural oriented policies which will accelerate the developmental pace in these areas: 

Jai Ram Thakur Ji said that the Covid-19 scenario has forced the policymakers to rethink and reformulate our policies and programs with a special focus on rural development. 
Around 90 percent population of the State reside in rural areas, therefore, the focus of the Government was on rural oriented policies that had been ensuring the accelerated pace of development in these areas.   

Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar while connecting through video conferencing from Una thanked the Chief Minister for evincing keen interest in rural development and people of the State. 

Employment under MNREGA

The Himachal Pradesh State Government has allowed the unemployed rural persons willing to work in their individual land under MNREGA, even if the work was not in the approved shelf of projects approved by the Gram Sabhas.  

This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the review meeting of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department. 

100 percent payments regarding works under MNREGA has been implemented through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). 

Chief Minister said that the Rural Development Department has also issued instructions regarding maintenance of PWD roads under MNREGA besides tranches of Jal Shakti Vibhag. In order to ensure transparency in the works of MNREGA, the department has implemented SECURE software.  

Quality Control Cell Created under MNREGA to improve the quality of works: 

The department has created a Quality Control Cell under MNREGA in order to improve the quality of works executed under the scheme. The Ombudsman have been appointed in six districts viz. Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Solan, while the remaining Ombudsman would be appointed soon. 

Image source – CMO, Himachal Pradesh and Google