The Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Mr. Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa has issued strict directions to the department officials to start work of de-watering of village ponds by tomorrow where work has not been started yet. During a review meeting with head office officals and through video conferencing with the district and block level officers, Mr. Bajwa took serious note that work has not been started at some places and said that target of de-watering and desilting of all village ponds must be achieved by June 10.The Minister said that 70 percent work of de-watering of village ponds has been completed till date. He said that there are 15207 ponds in the village and 12230 needs to be de-watered out of which 7000 has been de-watered. He further said that de-silting is required in 7420 ponds and work is in progress in 2858 and in 918 work has been completed.The Rural Development Minister said that Punjab Government has provided work to 265085 MGNREGA workers during the lockdown due to COVID-19. 'With this initiative the Punjab Government has given a big relief to the poor people by providing them work and income to meet their daily livelihood needs,' added Bajwa.
During the meeting Mr. Bajwa also appreciated the good work done by the officials and also pulled up the non performers. He directed the senior officials to submit daily report to him regarding the ongoing work of de-watering and de-silting of village ponds. He also directed the seniors officials to take strict action against those who fails to achieve the target of de-watering and de-silting of village ponds.The Minister also instructed the officials to ensure that job cards are issued to all the needy, especially the members of Women headed households and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Under this initiative, the Gram Rozgar Sewaks (GRS) will coordinate with the Panchayats in door to door identification of Women Headed Households and also those PWDs who are seeking work. The target is to ensure 100 percent identification, enrollment and also provision of 100 Day work for all those who demand it.Prominent amongst others present in the meeting included Mrs Seema Jain Financial Commissioner Rural Development, Kahan Singh Pannu Commissioner Mission Tandrust Punjab, Vipul Ujwal Joint Develoipment Commissioner, Hardayal Singh Chatha Deputy Director Rural Development and ADC(D)s, DDPOs and BDPOs.