Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 18: Former Minister, Ex MLA, Marh and Chairman Panchayati Raj Cell BJP JKUT, Sukhnandan Choudhary called on Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhawan here, today.
He submitted a memorandum to LG about the difficulties and problems being faced by the farming community and Panchayat members.
Through the memorandum, the former Minister urged the LG to enhance the relief compensation of crops which has been damaged due to recent hailstorm and heavy rains, as the amount fixed by administration is not adequate and it is lesser than the expenditure incurred by the farmers at the time of cultivation of crops. He appealed that the compensation amount to be payable to the farmers should be between Rs.1500 to Rs.2000 per kanal.
He also informed LG that the Panchayati Raj Act is openly flouted by the Rural Development Department . As per the Act the developmental works up to Rs.3.00 lac are to be executed through Panchayats by means of Gram Sabha and no contractor is authorized to carry out the works below Rs.3.00 lac, he added.
He appealed the Lt. Governor that necessary order be passed to the concerned Deputy Commissioners for the execution of developmental works up to Rs.3.00 lac through Panchayats as per provisions of Panchayati Raj Act.
Former Minister also said that during year 2017-18, the Rural Development Department under MGNREGA scheme has executed works through secretary Panchayats and material such as sand, Bajri, cement etc. was procured from local Panchayat vendors, but its payment is still pending with the department and these vendors are face great hardships as they have a very limited source of earning.
The Lt. Governor assured that all the issues would be taken up with the concerned authorities and will be redressed in a time bound manner.
Regarding the enhancement of compensation amount of damaged crops the Lt. Governor informed that Government is seeking details of the losses during the hailstorm and as and when complete reports will come the administration will definitely enhance the amount of the relief.
He also assured that the developmental works will be strictly executed as per the provision of the Panchayati Raj Act and necessary instruction will be issued to the concerned department with in short span of time.
He also sought detail of the works in which the RDD procured the construction material from the Panchayat vendors, payments of which are still pending. He assured the former Minister that this issue will also be solved in due course of time.
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