From a sarpanch (village council head) of Babhalgaon in the backward Marathwada region of Maharashtra to a Union minister of rural development and panchayati raj, Vilasrao Deshmukh has come a long way. Deshmukh, who has been the chief minister of Maharashtra twice, tells Sanjay Jog about the priorities and challenges in his role, especially when the Congress is struggling to keep the aam aadmi (common man) happy. Edited excerpts:
Throw some light on the road map you’ll follow to make implementation of key schemes more effective and transparent?
At the outset, I must tell you the ministries of rural development and panchayati raj cover 70 to 80 per cent of the population. Our budget is over Rs 90,000 crore, which comes after defence. Funds are not a problem. The job given to me is quite challenging, but there are ample opportunities to bring in transformation. My attempt will be to strengthen panchayati raj institutions across the country by giving them more legal and administrative powers. Immediately after taking over, I asked my secretaries and other officials that these departments should not be run purely from New Delhi, as they will have to visit at least three states every month and report directly to me. I will also travel extensively to hold reviews in states.
What will be the nature of legal and administrative powers and the procedural changes?
We have a three-tier system in the country – Gram Sabha, Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha. While the Lok Sabha sanctions the annual Budget and makes laws for the country, the Vidhan Sabha (state legislative assembly) does it for a particular state. The Gram Sabha is a crucial institution for proper functioning of gram panchayats (village councils) and zilla panchayats (district councils).
My effort will be to provide more legal and administrative powers to Gram Sabhas, so that they play a vital role in sanctioning and supervising the Budget and various programmes of gram panchayats and zilla panchayats. Maharashtra has taken an initiative in this regard and I will try to replicate this model with some amendments at the national level. Gram Sabha will also enjoy legal powers to take punitive actions.
Bharat Nirman is one of the flagship schemes of our government. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, or the Prime Minister’s rural roads scheme, it is mandatory for the contractor to maintain roads for 10 years. This guarantees roads will remain in better conditions during that stipulated time and thereafter. I want to introduce a similar system, whereby the maintenance of drinking water scheme will be done by a contractor for at least five years before handing it over to the zilla panchayat from gram panchayat.
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Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) is another important scheme meant for people living below the poverty line (BPL). My focus will be to cover maximum number of such persons from the scheduled caste, the scheduled tribe and minorities across the country. Currently, my ministry contributes Rs 48,500 per house to SC and ST families and Rs 45,000 to other castes under the BPL category. The matching contribution is made by respective states. Due to the increasing raw material cost, the construction cost has also risen. My attempt will be to increase my ministry’s contribution. I also want to cover small and marginal farmers from the above poverty line category under IAY.
The National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, or NREGS, has completed five years of operation. Has the scheme served its purpose?
Undoubtedly, NREGS and Bharat Nirman have brought vibrancy, especially in rural areas. As far as NREGA is concerned, the government has already increased daily wages to Rs 100 from Rs 60. These wages are linked to inflation. There is a monitoring mechanism comprising members of parliament in place. NREGS is online. I am aware that some states have spent huge amount on the scheme, while Maharashtra, for example, has incurred an expenditure of Rs 300 crore. I want to put in place a system to see that states make use of the funds in a proper and time-bound manner. I am also aware there are complaints about corruption at various stages of implementation. I will try to introduce a monitoring mechanism at the district and taluka levels to curb it.
Your comments on linking wages under NREGS with minimum wages.
This demand has been made by various organisations. A similar proposal was made by the National Advisory Council. However, my ministry has indicated it will not be possible, as some of the states have increased wages given under NREGS twice during the year. Therefore, NREGS wages have been linked to inflation.
Is there any special programme for the Naxal-affected regions?
My ministry is implementing a special programme for 60 Naxal-affected districts in the country, with an objective to build necessary road infrastructure and provide drinking water facilities in a time-bound manner. These facilities will create a lot of opportunities for villagers and, thereby, help expedite the development process. Self-help women’s groups will also be encouraged to contribute to local development like other districts. NREGS will be an effective instrument to provide jobs.
