By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 3 Nov: At the direction of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, a proposal will be sent to the Union Government to include work on Pirul collection under MNREGA. Along with this, under MNREGA, production of aromatic plants and aromatic clusters would be developed in the state. Aroma parks are already being developed in the state. Mothers of approximately 20,000 malnourished children of the state will be linked with the National Rural Employment Mission. The Chief Minister told officials that under social responsibility, each officer ought to care for 2 malnourished children, each. He instructed the officers to undertake a detailed study of the food habits, economic and social background of the families of malnourished children. During a review of the work done by the Uttarakhand State Employment Guarantee Council (MNREGA) at the Secretariat, today, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Development Officers of all the districts to encourage the production of Vermi-compost and Shivansh fertiliser under MNREGA. The production and use of Shivansh fertiliser would be started as a pilot project in 15 selected organic blocks of the state. Further, in Haridwar’s Kartarpur village, along with the protection of domestic cows, the marketing and supply of milk would be done in Delhi. The successful model of the rejuvenation of Kosi River in Almora would be adopted in every district. In each district, two to three rivers would be thus rejuvenated. The Chief Minister also directed that work ought to undertaken to make the Gaushalas and animal shelters comfortable and equipped with facilities so that there is qualitative improvement in the life of the animals. He said that along with the production of aromatic plants and other herbs, Van Panchayats of Uttarakhand could play an important role in every type of business activity and there was need to work on this action plan. In pisciculture under MNREGA, special focus ought to be laid on trout fish farming in Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag. Under MNREGA, the Horticulture Department would focus on developing walnut clusters. The Rural Haat culture was growing rapidly in the state, for which proper arrangement of land had to be ensured. Taking serious note of complaints on non-disbursal of timely payments under MNREGA by Gram Pradhans and public representatives present at the meeting, the Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary, Rural Development, to investigate the matter. Strengthening of the social audit of MNREGA and making it more transparent was ordered. Under MNREGA, emphasis had to given to improvement in land productivity, pisciculture, development of barren land, animal shelter yard, horticulture, silk and afforestation. During the meeting, it was stated that Uttarakhand had got five awards from the Union Ministry of Rural Development for doing excellent work in MNREGA. For the purpose of transparency in the works of MNREGA, Geo Tagging is being done before the beginning of the work, during the work and at the end of the work. At the meeting, Chief Minister initiated the secure software to ensure uniformity and flawlessness in the estimates being made under Mahatma Gandhi NREGA. The use of Secure Software has been started from Dehradun. By 15 January, 2019, it will be implemented in all the districts. Additional Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary, Manisha Panwar, Chief Development Officers of all the districts and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
