Thanks all BDOs for updating IFMS - Hanskhali to do it

I must appreciate the sincere efforts of all BDOs for completing IFMS uploading on wbprd website till September 2009. Only defaulter is Hanskhali, who should be given credit for atleast updating it upto August 2009. I hope in the coming months, all Panchayat Samities will update the reports for every month by 7th of next month. SDOs to please follow up.

Now, we must also pay attention towards GPMS of all GPs. BDOs may review the position at block level and insist upon the GPs to submit electronic copy of Form 27. I believe, unless administrative pressure is created upon the GP staff, this work is not likely to be completed in all GPs. Can I request BDOs/ SDOs to take the challenge, with motto not to fail?

I will also draw attention of blocks that allotments of NREGA to blocks or GPs are uploaded on district NREGA website at www.nadia.nic.in/nreganadia. Block NREGA cell must check for updates on daily basis, print new allotments and fax to GPs. If fax machines are not functioning, please get these repaired. GPs can enter into AMC agreements for computers and fax. Fund has been released as administrative cost under NREGA for the purpose.

Panchayat Samity performance as on September 2009 - review reasons

Panchayat Samity accounts have been computerized in all blocks and as per the directives of P&RD the IFMS should be uploaded at www.wbprd.gov.in by 7th of each month, without waiting for treasury verification.

Recent review of status upto September 2009 reveals that despite orders from DM Nadia several times, four Panchayat Samities namely Kaliganj, Tehatta1, Hanskhali, Krishnaganj has uploaded data up to June - July 2009 only, whereas Ranaghat1 and Karimpur1 has uploaded upto August 2009. SDOs and BDOs must personally look into the matter and ensure that IFMS is updated by 13th October 2009 till September 2009.

It is noted that the total payments against funds available with Panchayat Samities is very poor in most of the blocks, which needs personal review by SDOs and Panchayat Samities. I visited some of the Panchayat Samities recently and reviewed the position of utilization of funds with officers in presence of Sabhapaties. It is noted that following funds are found unutilized in most of the blocks, which can be utilized in two months if disbursements are done or decisions for payments are expedited :-

1. Pension funds of Social Welfare department were released in advance to all blocks against additional beneficiaries, which have not yet been sanctioned. In most of the cases large number of applications received from GPs/ submitted to BWO have not yet been processed or enquired into, while in few cases sanctions are awaited from DSWO’s end. Cases must be pursued with enquiry officers/ DSWO. We have authorized ICDS supervisors also to conduct field enquiry.

2. NFBS funds are released to blocks in advance. Applications already submitted from GPs must be taken up for sanction on first come first serve basis. NFBS funds released to blocks can be utilized immediately if pending cases are sanctioned by Panchayat Samities.

3. National Horticulture Mission or other relief grants can be disbursed to beneficiaries already identified and sanctioned. Dates for disbursement may be finalized immediately. Problems, if any, can be brought to notice of district authority.

4. TwFC, SFC grants were released in the current year against Annual Action Plan, but in some of PS the decision regarding schemes to be executed has not yet been communicated to SAEs, who will prepare the estimates, do vetting and take steps for NIT. This can be reviewed scheme wise and followed up. Same is the case of GPs.

5. MPLADS/ BEUP works are running smoothly but bill payment is delayed in some cases. Scheme wise review at block level with the representative of MLA/ MP can be organized, wherever; the work could not be commenced due to site problems or cost escalation.

6. TSC funds were released for construction of toilets in schools, SSK/MSK, ICDS centres through sanitary marts or school management committees. It is noticed that progress of the work is very poor in some of the blocks as the sanitary mart does not have sufficient infrastructure. Panchayat Samity may get the work done through School Management Committees in such cases. It can be seen that Chakdah, Kaliganj, Hanskhali, Tehatta 1 are the poor performers comparatively. Performance of Haringhata, Karimpur2 and Krishnagar2 is the best in the district. Panchayat Samity wise fund utilization is enclosed with this letter.

All blocks must gear up the expenditure in coming two months and remove the obstacles.

Can we take the help of Supervisors to identify Individual schemes ?

With the inclusion of small and marginal farmers under Individual beneficiary oriented works like social forestry, fruit bearing trees and land development/ pond excavation on the lands of these farmers, there is vast scope of NREGA. It is estimated that more than 95 % of farmers in our district have become eligible alongwith ST/ SC, BPL, Patta holders. The works which can be considered on the lands of these farmers are land development/ land lavelling, minor irrigation, excavation/ re-excavation of ponds/ tanks, plantation of banana, mango, guava, social forestry and any other perennial fruit bearing trees on their lands, field channel for irrigation purpose etc. It is noticed that despite detailed draft project report on these sectors circulated to GPs and NREGA authorities, response to IBS is very poor throughout the district. There might be reasons like inadequate publicity, lack of capacity building and lack of technical clartity of Nirman Sahayak/ Technical Assistants but the prime reason so far identified in all the GPs is lack of proactive role of GPs.

Programme Officer, NREGA & BDOs may consider identifying Supervisors/ SHGs or farmers clubs with the help of GPs, organise their training for atleast 4 days locally on NREGA procedures and IBS scheme estimates/ models. The panel of trained supervisor for different sansads/ group of sansads can be thereafter asked to prepare the scheme for IBS and submit to PO through GP for sanction. For example, supervisor can list out families willing to undertake excavation of ponds in a sansad or group of sansad, collect land particulars, measurements of ponds dimensions required to prepare estimates for each pond and submit the same to GP. Thereafter, TA or NS can easily verfiy the facts and finalise the estimates for onward transmission to PO for sanction. Supervisor shall also collect the applications from job card holders who will be engaged to do the excavation work and start the work on its sanction. Similarly, supervisors can collect the land particulars of banana growing farmers and prepare estimates for banana plantation in a sansad / group of sansads based on model estimates. On sanction of scheme, supervise can be entrusted for execution of scheme.

Supervisors can be assured cost of supervision as per the scale fixed for NREGA works against the schemes formulated by them. More the number of schemes, more the job opportunities to supervisors. All payments for plantation schemes shall continue for six months, thereby, providing assured employment to supervisors. POs may work out the details based on guidelines and model estimates already circulated. Any other effective idea at block level if evolved can please be shared.