Govt. rural schemes transforming lives of BPL families in Uttarakhand

Haldwani (Nainital), March1 (ANI): Various rural schemes being operational under the Panchayati Raj system of the Centre are making a difference in the lives of BPL(below poverty line) families across Uttarakhand.

Through National Rurual Employment Guarantee Scheme Act, the Indira Awaas Yojna and Swaran Jayanti Gram Swa-Rozgar Yojna, in particular, a large number of needy people are getting benefited here.

For instance in Haldwani Block of Uttarakhand's Nainital district, local residents are cherishing the benefits of the Panchayati Raj schemes to the optimum level.

Last year, on April 1, the National Rural Guarantee Scheme was started here under which 3,752 workers were distributed Job Card and about 2,300 individuals' bank accounts were opened. Today, the workers are getting employment at their villages.

Kamla Devi, one of the beneficiaries in here told that she does cleaning and the work of cutting bushes. But she is delighted to get a regular work and also that her earning are getting deposited in bank.

One village head, Shekhar Chand, said that the work is being done under the scheme and there are several BPL families earning their livelihood and surviving because of that. " In my village, 39 such cards (for employment) have been made. Everyday there is requirement for 10 to 12 persons.

Moreover, the BPL families in the Block, are also enjoying benefits under the Indiar Awaas Yojna, which is meant to help construction of dwelling units by members of Scheduled Castes/ Schedule Tribes, freed bonded labourers and also non- SC/ST rural poor below the poverty line by providing them with grant-in-aid.

Under the Indira Awaas Yojna, people used to get a grant of Rs.27,500 an amount which has been now increased to 38,500 for benefiting the needy.

About 230 families here have received grant for pucca houses in the last three years whereas 103 families were supported for constructing hatched houses.

Most of the beneficiary families admit that in the absence of such a support from government, things couldn't have been possible for us.

Saraswati, on of such beneficiaries, said she received a grant of Rs. 27,000 from the government. In the absence of such a support, she could not think of constructing her own house. She thanks the UPA Government at the center for all this.

The Centre is also extending support to the needy families in villages through grants under Swaran Jayanti Swa-Rozgar Yojna. Under this scheme, the beneficiary gets 25 per cent subsidy which has enabled many families to be on their own in life.

Parvati Devi, one of the beneficiaries of Swarna Jayanti Swa-Rozgar Yojna, said after the death of her husband she was left with no source of livelihood. "We got a loan of Rs. 40,000 under which we got rebate of Rs.10,000. It has helped us tremendously..

Besides, under this scheme, 130 women groups have also been formed of which 81 groups have been given grants.

"Yes, there have been lots of benefits for the villagers from the schemes. For example- the rural employment scheme, this scheme is helping the unemployed youth who used to go out in search of jobs. But now they can stay back and work here," said R P Gajrola, Block Developmemt Officer.

Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh recently stated in the Rajya Sabha that 2.7 million households have already been given employment for 100 days in the first phase.

Around 3.6 million more households benefited in the second phase and another 2.7 million households in the third phase of the implementation of the scheme.

According to a data, 49 per cent women, 30 per cent Scheduled Castes and 25 per cent Scheduled Tribes have benefited by the scheme so far.

Further, the government proposes to reach out to more than 40 million households under its flagship programme till the end of March in the current financial year. By Vipul Goyal (ANI)