Delhi Government Sets Deadline for Village Development Programme Action Plan

Delhi Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday a significant step towards the development of villages in the national capital, marking a first in the city's governance. The Delhi government has allocated a substantial budget of Rs 900 crore specifically for the enhancement of both urbanised and rural villages. Rai, during a press conference, highlighted the government's commitment to accelerating the development process on a war footing.

The focus of this initiative is primarily on improving village roads, with various agencies being given a deadline until June 15 to prepare their respective action plans. This directive was issued in a meeting that took place before the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct in Delhi. Rai emphasized that the practical timeframe for implementing these plans extends until October, considering the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) comes into effect around November 4 or 5 and lasts until December, followed by the state assembly elections' Model Code of Conduct in January.

The Village Development Board, with two executing agencies - the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department - is at the forefront of this developmental charge. Rai outlined a three-level process for executing the approved works, which includes approval by the board, tendering by the executing agencies, and finally, ground-level implementation.

With all 1,387 proposals submitted by MLAs from various assemblies already approved by the board, Rai stressed that the budget is in place and it is now a matter of execution. Agencies are tasked not only with drafting an action plan by June 15 but also with identifying any potential challenges they might face on the ground.

Engagement and Resolution

A meeting scheduled for June 19 will see MLAs and department officials reviewing the status of proposals and addressing ground-level issues. Rai mentioned that special camps would be set up at the Delhi Secretariat on June 27-28 to expedite the resolution of any impediments, thereby avoiding delays in project implementation. This initiative aims to consolidate officers from all departments in one location to swiftly dispose of pending files.

The minister expressed optimism about starting the tender process for these developmental works in July, with work orders expected to be issued by August. The goal is to complete all projects between September and October, ensuring a swift and efficient enhancement of village infrastructure within Delhi.

This comprehensive approach towards village development not only underscores the government's dedication to rural and urbanised village enhancement but also sets a tight schedule for all involved agencies to follow suit. With a clear timeline and substantial budget allocation, Delhi is poised to witness significant improvements in its village infrastructure in the coming months.