Rural Development was constituted by the Government of India to ensure rural people be included in the development process of the economic growth of the nation. Initially Rural Development came into force on October, 1974 as a part of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture which today is known as Ministry of Rural Development. As is well known Rural Development encompasses various projects meant to empower the rural poor through; wage employment to every household in the village, basic housing and homestead to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households in rural areas, giving assistance to the old, widow and disabled people, facilitating rural areas for improvement of quality of life, schemes for all-weather rural connectivity to unconnected rural habitations and improvement of existing roads, hydro-electric projects, computerization of school education, upgradation of government hospitals, etc., all these falls under different schemes such as; Swaranjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY)/National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, (MGNREGA), Administration of District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA), Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR), etc. These schemes are centrally sponsored with a negligible percent of expenditure (sometimes as low as 4%) shared by the State.
Now, Old Phek-Satakha via Khuza road falls under NLCPR Project which was approved by DoNER Ministry on 23/03/2006. This proposed road has fueled the idea of connecting Chakhasang and Sumi communities inhabiting remote areas where district highway is outside the realm. And since it is taken that this would be the principal line of communication between Phek and Satakha – it likewise is much fervently anticipated by the public. As the fact stands, the said road was supposed to be completed since early 2008, 24 months from the allotment of the work for public convenience, but unfortunately the literal use of the road is bleak because the completion of the road is nowhere near. Although the work is not done the fund meant for the work is drawn according to how the contractors and the government officials manage to drain off the public fund through dishonest and mean means. The issue of “Completion Certificate” to the contractors by the Executive Engineer, PWD, Phek, on 31/03/2011 is a proof obvious enough to show underhand indulgence of power at the cost of the rural poor. The press release of 19 Phek ACCI on September 25, 2011 has clearly laid out the facts involved in the transaction of the funds meant for the said road, in connection with this the benign silence of the government over the matter is something to take note.
It is the duty of the government as laid down by the Ministry “to take concerted action for effective and meaningful implementation of programmes.” “Duty” also include public co-operation and thus meetings of the “Performance Review Committee for periodic reviews of the programmes” is placed under Department of Rural Development. But the possibility for the rural poor to participate in the review programmes has less chance because the people who are in power have created a system where none but their accomplices remain the benefactor as well as the beneficiary, thus eliminating the presence of the “intended beneficiary” from the scene. This kind of gross prejudices cannot be justified through vague memorandums submitted by the contractors to the government neither by government office orders averting the right course of action of black-listing. The public must raise their voice and claim what is due to them, it must be remembered that schemes under Rural Development, as the name suggests, is meant for the benefit of the rural poor. Further, there is law to protect and safeguard the interest of every citizen under the provision of the constitution, and any infringement of the right to life and livelihood can be brought within the preview of the court of law. Roads are central to development and progress whereupon the prosperity of the people depend – thus whether it is Old Phek-Satakha via Khuza road or any other road that concern the welfare of the people must be an opening and not an obstacle.
Secretary,
Publicity and Information,
36 A/C Satakha.
Now, Old Phek-Satakha via Khuza road falls under NLCPR Project which was approved by DoNER Ministry on 23/03/2006. This proposed road has fueled the idea of connecting Chakhasang and Sumi communities inhabiting remote areas where district highway is outside the realm. And since it is taken that this would be the principal line of communication between Phek and Satakha – it likewise is much fervently anticipated by the public. As the fact stands, the said road was supposed to be completed since early 2008, 24 months from the allotment of the work for public convenience, but unfortunately the literal use of the road is bleak because the completion of the road is nowhere near. Although the work is not done the fund meant for the work is drawn according to how the contractors and the government officials manage to drain off the public fund through dishonest and mean means. The issue of “Completion Certificate” to the contractors by the Executive Engineer, PWD, Phek, on 31/03/2011 is a proof obvious enough to show underhand indulgence of power at the cost of the rural poor. The press release of 19 Phek ACCI on September 25, 2011 has clearly laid out the facts involved in the transaction of the funds meant for the said road, in connection with this the benign silence of the government over the matter is something to take note.
It is the duty of the government as laid down by the Ministry “to take concerted action for effective and meaningful implementation of programmes.” “Duty” also include public co-operation and thus meetings of the “Performance Review Committee for periodic reviews of the programmes” is placed under Department of Rural Development. But the possibility for the rural poor to participate in the review programmes has less chance because the people who are in power have created a system where none but their accomplices remain the benefactor as well as the beneficiary, thus eliminating the presence of the “intended beneficiary” from the scene. This kind of gross prejudices cannot be justified through vague memorandums submitted by the contractors to the government neither by government office orders averting the right course of action of black-listing. The public must raise their voice and claim what is due to them, it must be remembered that schemes under Rural Development, as the name suggests, is meant for the benefit of the rural poor. Further, there is law to protect and safeguard the interest of every citizen under the provision of the constitution, and any infringement of the right to life and livelihood can be brought within the preview of the court of law. Roads are central to development and progress whereupon the prosperity of the people depend – thus whether it is Old Phek-Satakha via Khuza road or any other road that concern the welfare of the people must be an opening and not an obstacle.
Secretary,
Publicity and Information,
36 A/C Satakha.
