Union Rural Development Minister reviews schemes in NE

Guwahati, Oct 12 (UNI) Insurgency has hindered the progress of construction works, involving big contracts, in North East but it has not affected the Central government's rural programmes and employment schemes which benefit the common man directly.

This was observed by Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Pratap Singh after reviewing the progress of the various flagship programmes of the UPA government in the NE states with the ministers concerned and officials of the states here recently.

He said, ''the Centre will give all necessary funds and all programmes would be completed by 2011. But improvement is needed in the execution.'' Dr Singh also categorically stated that no funds under these schemes will be diverted in any state and the Central department will keep a strict vigilance.

''Strict vigilance and monitoring, people's participation, transparency and accountability are needed for the rural development programmes to succeed,'' he added.

Elaborating on the implementation and progress of these flagship programmes in the region, the Union minister lauded Sikkim and Tripura in respect of Total Sanitation Campaign.

Sikkim was leading the country in implementation of this programme and it would be completed by this year end. Tripura was also progressing well, he said.

On the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), Dr Singh said all districts across the country would be included by April next and he has directed the NE ministers to ensure proper implementation of the scheme in the region.

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