Raghuvansh keeps Nitish govt under vigilance

Rural Development Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh is embarking on a review of all central programmes concerning Bihar.

The process, sources say, will see Singh stepping on the toes of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is already upset with him and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for touring the flood-hit areas of the state. Singh's move is unprecedented as it involves all central ministries.

Sources said Singh reviewed the implementation of the backward regions grant fund (BGRF) under the panchayati raj ministry on Thursday.

After officials briefed him on the implementation of the programme in the state, Singh shot off a letter to Kumar asking him to expedite the process of submitting the district plans under the fund to the panchayati raj ministry so that funds could reach the state faster.

"As a matter of concern I should inform you that until the districts utilise all the funds allocated under the Rashtriya Sam Vikas Yojana (a precursor to BGRF), they cannot receive the Rs 20 crore allocated for each of them under the BGRF," Singh said in his letter.

While 21 out of 36 districts under the BGRF are already covered under the RSVY and were to receive Rs 945 crore in three years, they have received Rs 525 crore. Out of this, only Rs 398 crore was utilised, Singh said.

According to sources, the minister would review the schemes related to water on August 10, food and consumer affairs on August 27, financial matters (12th Finance Commission) on September 3, power on September 10, human resource development on September 19, and health and family welfare (programmes like the National Rural Health Mission) on September 25.

After the reviews, more letters are expected to be delivered to Patna.

Singh is conducting a statewise review of the rural development schemes from June. While some states are still left, the minister, sources said, was regularly sending letters to states requesting them to improve the pace of the programmes, wherever necessary.