Bhopal: April 4, 2008:Gram Sabhas would be held in every village of Madhya Pradesh from April 14. Apart from local issues, the weeklong Gram Sabhas would also discuss Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana, information about Panchayat Raj institutions having been given the statutory, Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006, Employment Guarantee Scheme, social audit of community and development works, Jalabhishek Abhiyan, drinking water arrangements in summer, Sarvashiksha Abhiyan, Midday Meal and other issues.
The Additional Chief Secretary, Shri Pradeep Bhargava has issued detailed instructions to district collectors and divisional commissioners in the state in connection with Gram Sabhas. These officers would send collective report of the Gram Sabhas to be held in the districts to Commissioner, Panchayat Raj Directorate by April 30. The officers have been instructed to ask people attending Gram Sabhas to motivate people living below poverty line to avail maximum benefits under Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana by giving them detailed information about the scheme. Under this scheme, holders of blue ration cards would get 20 kilogram food grains per month from fair price shops-wheat at the rate of Rs three per kg and rice at Rs 4.50 per kg.
Panchayat Raj institutions have been given statutory status in the entire country. Copies of draft charter received from the Union government for empowering these institutions have also been sent to all the collectors. This draft charter would be read out in the Gram Sabhas and people’s reactions would be sought.
Discussion would also be held on Scheduled Tribes and Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act 2006 at the Gram Sabhas. Forest Rights Committees would be established where they have not been formed so far. Other issues on the agenda of Gram Sabhas include social audit of under progress works under Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, constitution of committees under Total Sanitation Programme and Swajaldhara Yojana where they have not been formed and review of utilisation of funds received under various heads.
