PUNJAB GOVT DECIDES TO GIVE TOP PRIORITY FOR DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN SC COMMUNITY SETTLEMENTS

Chandigarh, June 18:

In bid to ensure inclusive development of the disadvantaged sections of the society in the all round growth of the state, the Punjab Government has decided to accord top priority to the development works in Scheduled Caste (SC) community settlements in the villages. On the directives of Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, a letter to this effect was issued to the all the concerned officers by the Director to implement these guidelines in the letter and spirit.

Mr. Bajwa instructed the departmental officers to intensify their efforts to uplift the SC community and ensure the desired results through an action bound program. Mr. Bajwa asked the officers especially the ones posted in field to get these development oriented projects concerning the well being of SC community in the villages on the highest priority.

The Minister further asked the officers to utilise the government grants for developmental purposes in the villages priority wise by giving preference to the projects such as dharamshalas, cremation grounds, water supply and sewerage facilities in the vicinity of SCs settlement.

The minister further added that it has been brought to his notice that at the time of using the grants for development works in the villages, the projects/areas related to the SC community were often ignored thereby resulting in deprivation of this most vulnerable section of the society from basic amenities and necessities. He also directed the officers to ensure SC community dharamshalas be equipped with all the requisite facilities so as to save the poor and needy sections from incurring unnecessary expenditure at the time of holding their social functions. The minister also added that in case of the dharamshala being located in a congested area, the panchayat must exchange its land with someone else and construct the dharamshala in a spacious and well spread out area as an alternate site. He made it amply clear that only after the completion of development works meant for SCs , other development projects of the village be initiated.

Mr. Bajwa also emphasised that at the time of giving panchayat lands on lease/’chakota’, the adequate public announcement must be made in the village besides through loudspeaker in the Gurudwara/Temple of the concerned village for the separate bidding of the third part of land reserved for the SC community. To achieve the real motive of this entire exercise was to allot such land, only the deserving members of the SC community of the concerned village. The minister also exhorted the SC community people, those were taking the land on lease through bidding from the SC quota, to cultivate the land themselves. He unequivocally said that if the land taken on lease is sublet to someone else for cultivation then the bidding would be cancelled.