The Gujarat government had recently camped in Kutch for four days, where it discussed a variety of issues at the Chintan Shibir.
Gujarat government, which organised the sixth annual Chintan Shibir at Dhordo village in Kutch to brainstorm various issues of state's development, is concerned over the failure to reach out to the poor and planning to help them through various individual benefit schemes.
Gujarat ministers and 250 senior IAS officers discussed various topics at length. A report discussed by the state government on the 'reaching to the poor through individual benefit-oriented schemes' says that non-availability of houses for the poor in urban as well as rural areas is acute and is an immediate concern.
In rural areas, 11.37 lakh BPL families are homeless. It is necessary to have a special drive for allotting land plots to BPL families. "The report also proposed that all homeless BPL families should be given housing assistance before December, 2010 so that the golden goal of providing houses to all BPL families in rural areas is achieved by January 1, 2011. Along with housing, it is also necessary that free electrification, toilet and smokeless chulhas are provided to the BPL families in rural areas," said the report.
The report further said, "Of 42.39 lakh farmers, only 23 lakh have got Kisan credit card. The rest of the farmers must be provided the cards by next year. Of 3.5 lakh artisans, only 6,672 have got artisan cards. In 4% Differential Interest Scheme, against a target of Rs1,000 crore credit, only Rs.0.4 crore has been disbursed so far."
Similarly, in the area of social security measures, pension schemes for old persons and widows are badly neglected. According to the Planning Commission's estimate, around 2.5 lakh population above 65 years of age and belonging to BPL families and are still without pension.
"National Health Insurance Scheme is also poorly implemented in Gujarat. In the scheme, Rs30,000 cashless medical benefit is provided to the rural and urban poor families. The scheme is implemented in 10 districts at present, and against the target of 11.31 lakh, only 6.86 lakh families have been covered so far. Implementation of central government's flagship NREGA scheme for rural employment is also poor in state. Of 60 lakh rural families, only 30 lakh are given NREGA cards and only 9 lakh families have been provided employment," the report said.
To reach to the poorest, the state government is planning to review the Individual Oriented Benefit Schemes in Gram Sabhas. Taluka-level camps have been suggested for faster clearance of the benefits. Moreover, secretary-rank officials who have been made in-charge of districts have been asked to take personal interest in achieving results.
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