15 Sep : Social Justice, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Shri Gopal Bhargava directed to bring transparency in pension distribution and disburse pension to destitutes between 1st and 7th of every month. He said that it is the duty of the officers to ensure that there are no bunglings in disbursement of pension to the poor and destitutes. He said that Shelter Homes will be constructed in towns with one lakh population. He said that helpline will be started from October 2 to ensure that the destitute pension reaches out to the needy. Shri Bhargava was addressing a meeting of field officers of his departments. Additional Chief Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development and Social Justice Shri R Parashuram, Secretary Social Justice Shri B K Batham and Commissioner Social Justice Shri Hiralal Trivedi were present at the meeting.
Shri Gopal Bhargava said that this department is associated with section of society whose uplifting is the topmost priority of the government. It is the duty of the officers of the department that they should work with transparency and sensitiveness. He said that the state government is giving pension to those persons who are helpless, deprived of and are disregarded by the society. He warned that any sort of bungling in pension distribution will not be tolerated and the responsible officers will not be spared. He said that helpline should be started from October 2 so that the needy persons can take advantage of the welfare schemes of the department.
The Social Justice Minister asked the officers to ensure that benefit of Mukhya Mantri Kanyadan Yojna is extended to maximum eligible beneficiaries. He was also informed about the difficulties the officers are facing while implementing the departmental schemes. He issued necessary instructions to solve these difficulties. He told the departmental officers to instill trust in the destitute persons that the social justice department is there to safeguard their interests. The beneficiaries should be aware of the welfare schemes of the department and the eligible persons should get full benefit. In the district-wise review, the minister found discrepancies in amount disbursed and the number of beneficiaries in Rajgarh, Satna and Chhindwara. He then ordered to conduct special inquiries in these districts.
Shri R Parashuram told the officers to do work with transparency and complete the work in time so that the rural people are benefited from the schemes of the department. He warned the officers that negligence in work will not be tolerated.
Shri B K Batham asked the officers to make preparations for the proposed Garib Melas which are to start from November 1 next.
Shri Hiralal Trivedi said that the officers’ top priority should be to provide benefits of all welfare schemes under integrated assistance scheme to the beneficiaries under one roof. He gave detailed instructions about implementation of the 5 points of the department included in the Public Services Guarantee Act. He said that scholarship to handicapped students should be provided in time. He instructed to appoint a legal guardian to the students who are handicapped in more than one way and give them additional financial help of Rs 500.