July 28, 2009 :The sixth meeting of Cabinet Sub Committee set up for monitoring and reviewing the implementation of Election Manifesto was held here today. Shri J.P. Nadda, Forest Minister presided over the meeting.
While reviewing the progress of Excise and Taxation Department it was informed that taxation procedure has been made transparent and practical. The Toll Policy-2009-10 has also been made flexible and toll tax being realized quarterly and yearly has been reduced by 50 percent for the
people residing near the boundaries of the neighbouring States and are using their private vehicles. He directed the officers to ensure that the tax under various items was collected timely. He said that traders should not be put for un-necessarily inconvenience.
Reviewing the progress of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, Forest Minister said that Rs. 322 crore has been utilized under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act in the State during last year and about 2 crore mandays had been generated. He said that Rs. 3.40 lacs were being provided to the Gram Panchayats for construction of Panchayat ghars in each panchayat, earlier Rs. 2 lacs were being provided for the purpose. He said that during last financial year Rs. 11.98 crore were allotted for the additional construction of 166 panchayat ghars in 630 gram panchayats.
It was revealed in the meeting that 300 panchayat ghars would be constructed during current financial year and Rs. 3.40 lacs each would be provided for the construction and Rs. one lacs each would be provided for the repair of additional construction in 730 panchayat ghars.
He said that Himachal Pradesh was poised to give new dimensions to the use of Information Technology to deliver services to every citizen at their doorsteps. All the gram panchayats would have computers by the end of 2009-10. In the first phase of computerization in 2007-08 in panchayats, computers were made available at Directorate, Zila Parishads and Panchayat Offices level besides 1185 gram panchayats. He said that during the second phase of computerization 1185 gram panchayats were provided computers and 873 gram panchayats would be covered during the current financial year. He said that Himachal has emerged the first State in delivering citizen services through IT mode in the country.
To ensure technical facilities in the panchayats, 847 technical assistants has been appointed. Monthly remuneration of panchayat assistants has been enhanced from Rs. 2340 to Rs. 3120. Monthly remuneration of sewing teachers has been enhanced from Rs. 900 to Rs. 1100 from 1st January 2009. Recommendations of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994 were being implemented effectively in the State and 50 percent reservation was being provided to the women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies.
Shri J.P. Nadda directed that National Rural Employment Guarantee Act should be implemented in the right perspective. He said that eight activities were being undertaken under the NREGA. He stressed the need for plantation of herbs and shrubs of high value in place of congress grass and neelafulunu while developing the land under NREGA.
Shri Ravinder Singh Ravi, Irrigation and Public Health Minister said that the State Government was committed for the overall development of all parts of the State. He directed the officers to ensure timely and proper implementation of all the promises of the State Government made in the Election Manifesto of the Party. He stressed for construction of watershed and check dams to ensure sufficient availability of water in the villages for the irrigation and other purposes.
Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Health Minister said that maximum promises of the Election Manifesto of present Government have been fulfilled. He said that posts of women panchayat health workers were being filled soon. He said that these workers would provide helping hand to the people of the area at the need of the hour.
Shri Bhim Sen, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister and Principal Secretary, Excise and Taxation, Shri Shrikant Baldi, Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Ajay Bhandari, Secretary, GAD and SAD and other senior officers attended the meeting.