Govt evolves multi-level system to monitor rural development schemes

These include review by union ministers, performance review committee meetings, state vigilance

The government has evolved a comprehensive multi-level and multi-tool system for monitoring implementation of various rural development schemes across the country, Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

Minister of State for Rural Development Ram Kripal Yadav said in order to ensure that the programme benefits reach the rural poor in full measure, the government has evolved a comprehensive multi-level and multi-tool system of monitoring and evaluating rural development programmes in different parts of the country.

These include review by the union ministers, performance review committee meetings, state vigilance and monitoring committees, district development coordination and monitoring committee named as 'DISHA'.

Besides, submission of reports by third party monitoring through national level monitors, area officers schemes, concurrent evaluation, impact assessment studies, monitoring the submission of utilisation certificates are few other measures, Yadav said during Question Hour.

The minister said the funds under various rural development programmes are released to states and union territories in accordance with the programme guidelines based on their absorption capacity and utilisation of available funds.

The ministry constantly pursues the issue of fund utilisation with state governments and UT administrations through performance review committee meetings to ensure optimum utilisation of funds and to ensure timely disbursement and sound financial management, he said.