Hyderabad: Self-reliant villages remain the Telangana government’s primary goal, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Seethakka said on Tuesday. She directed officials to improve coordination among departments and strengthen rural development efforts.
The minister chaired a State-level review meeting at Jyotirao Phule Praja Bhavan. Additional Collectors, Zilla Parishad CEOs, DRDOs, DPOs and engineering officials attended the meeting. Representatives from Mission Bhagiratha, SERP and the employment guarantee scheme also participated.
Special Chief Secretary Dana Kishore and Panchayat Raj Commissioner Divya Devarajan attended the review. The meeting continued for nearly seven hours. Officials reviewed ongoing works and future targets.
Seethakka said rural development involves more than constructing roads and buildings. She said the government’s objective is to improve the living standards of every family. She also stressed the need to create urban-level infrastructure in villages.
The minister noted that nearly 1.35 lakh employees work under the two departments. She said the government spends over Rs 34,000 crore annually through them. However, she expressed concern that villages had not transformed at the expected pace.
Further, she directed all departments to work as a single team. She asked officials to prepare integrated development plans for every village. According to her, each village requires a separate strategy based on its resources and challenges.
Seethakka said Telangana villages possess abundant natural and human resources. She said officials could replicate model villages such as Gangadevipalli across the State. Accordingly, she directed authorities to prepare village-level development plans within two months.
Self-reliant villages require coordinated planning
The minister stressed the need for accountable use of public funds. She said every rupee allocated to villages should directly benefit people. She warned that officials would face action for violating rules or misusing funds.
Meanwhile, Seethakka expressed concern over reports that some local bodies spent funds without conducting gram sabhas. She instructed Additional Collectors to monitor fund utilisation closely and ensure compliance with regulations.
The review covered employment guarantee works and workday generation. Officials also reviewed pending material bills, Anganwadi buildings, Mahila Shakti Bhavans and gram panchayat offices. In addition, they examined sanitation, tax collections and Swachh Bharat Mission targets.
The minister emphasised water conservation. She described it as essential for future sustainability. Further, she directed officials to protect ponds, tanks, wells and streams.
She asked authorities to identify and restore old wells. She also directed them to construct protective walls around wells. In addition, she instructed officials to promote soak pits, farm ponds and village water conservation structures.
During the meeting, Seethakka unveiled the Jalasiri awareness poster. The campaign aims to improve groundwater conservation at the village level.
The minister also instructed Mission Bhagiratha officials to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply during the monsoon. She directed them to provide safe water to households, schools and Anganwadi centres. She also called for awareness programmes on water quality.
Self-reliant villages need stronger tribal connectivity
Seethakka highlighted difficulties in road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. She said forest clearance issues were delaying works in agency and forest areas.
According to the minister, tribal villages continue to face hardships because of approval delays. She instructed officials to strengthen coordination with the Union government and pursue pending clearances.
She said the State would raise these concerns during meetings with Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on June 28 and 29. Further, she directed the department to appoint a dedicated officer to coordinate with the Centre.
Seethakka also instructed SERP officials to strengthen women’s self-help groups. She called for improved bank linkage programmes and sustainable livelihood opportunities. According to her, stronger economic participation by women will strengthen the rural economy.
Concluding the meeting, the minister urged officials to address problems before they escalate. She said all departments share responsibility for transforming Telangana villages into national models of development.
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