Once infamous for Political disturbances and violences, Mangalkote Block created a record in MGNREGA employment generation this year. Development is the key to peace.

Mangalkote has been in news for Political clashes leading to violence, cause loss of human lives and property since 2008-09 onwards. There are several instances of intense group rivalry leading to violent attacks and several litigation affecting almost every village.

• But, now the same Mangalkote has created a history creating maximum employment generation under MGNREGA in 2012-13 financial year. Conducive environment for work in villages of Mangalkote could facilitate good results due to combined efforts of TEAM BURDWAN in such excellent performance.
• In 2009-10 financial year this block could generate only 3.10 lakhs man days, that increased to 6.84 lakhs in 2010-11 and 9.8 lakhs in 2011-12 financial year.
• Mangalkote block created a history in 2012-13 financial year with employment generation of 21.7 lakhs involving 55248 families. So, employment generation has increased three times over last two years.
• Similarly, the expenditure incurred by this block has increased from Rs 9.70 crores only in 2010-11 to Rs 46 crores in 2012-13 financial year.
• It was Rs 16.7 crores in 2011-12. This increase in expenditure by more than four times is possible due to peaceful and conducive environment for development works.
• It is estimated that final expenditure of 2012-13 financial year may be approximately Rs 50 crores and man days may be 23 lakhs.

Well done Mangalkote.

Thanks to all employees and others associated with this remarkable  achievement.

ICDS Students surgeries - most satisfying intervention

I remember in 2002-03 working at Cooch Behar as ADM Development, visiting several ICDS and Health Centres noticed that children from economically weaker sections in villages can't afford adequate nutrition and health care and this is the main reason for their poor body growth physically as well as mentally.

• My experience to make frequent visits to villages, in the interiors and interacting with people at their door step to enquire on actual reach of Govt.'s services/ benefits on health, child care, nutrition, social pensions and similar individual benefit oriented services, shaped my decision making skills towards more humane.
• This is the zeal to gain more satisfaction by way of appreciation by those benefited and encouragement received from well wishers, that led me to always think some new ways and innovations to help the poorest of the poor.
• I have been associated with several instances of extending helping hands to so many people in providing treatments, education and social pensions or rehabilitation of physically challenged/ shelter less using good offices of the posts I held. But, I am most satisfied to have successfully planned and executed innovative scheme of surgical treatments of school and ICDS children in Burdwan district.
• I have experience of conducting health check up of all school students in Nadia district in 2008-09 when we arranged doctors from Kolkata also to conduct check ups at Health Centre level and later, arranged check up by specialists for some of them.
• In Burdwan, we planned and successfully conducted health check up of 9.6 lakhs students in 2010-11 and later organised treatment of all those found with ailments.
• 563 students were supported with full treatment costs at Private and Govt hospitals at Govt cost up to Rs 1.2 lakhs per patient. All these operations were done in 2012, some still going on.
• Last year, we decided to do screening of small kids between 3 to 6 years of age at ICDS Centres through growth chart monitoring. There are 9300 plus ICDS centres in Burdwan district, one in each village/ ward for every 1000 population where one ICDS worker and one helper takes care of their feeding, taking weight on monthly basis to record growth with age, pre school education, immunisation etc.
• When we started, weighing efficiency of these centres was only 70-75%. That means, weight of 25-30 percent children attending the ICDS centres was never recorded. More than that, enrollment efficiency was less than 70 percent i.e. 30 percent of eligible children in age group 3 yrs to 6 years were never enrolled in ICDS. In order to improve these parameters, we provided spring scales, flat weighing machines to each ICDS worker in 2010 and 2011 and asked them to ensure that weight of all children must be recorded in growth chart for individuals. They were asked to visit house to house just like pulse polio programme and record their weights every month. We must thank the workers of ICDS and CDPOs that weighing efficiency increased to 94 percent of enrolled and more than 90 percent of eligible children population now in 2012-13. Growth charts were updated and children falling under red and yellow zone of the growth chart were tracked in ICDS projects.
• There are 39 projects in Burdwan district. More than 5.6 lakhs children are enrolled. 3400 children were found to be severe to moderate malnourished, tracked as per growth chart monitoring. Our workers took them to Medical Officers and got them medically examined in last six months. Based on medical examinations, kids with serious ailments were referred to specialists in Govt hospitals and private facilities. So far, 146 children have been referred for surgical intervention for cardiac problems, orthopaedic, kidney and hernia related disorders.
• We are happy that full responsibility of surgical costs and treatment has been taken care under the Innovative Health project initiated by District Administration.
• Roni Mete, 4 years from Bonkati GP of Kanksa ICDS Project had problem of heart and as per advice of doctors surgery was the only option. His father Nirad Mete is a poor tribal, who can't afford cost of Rs 1.5 lakhs claimed by the Durgapur Mission Hospital. Our workers got him checked and referred application for assistance. We agreed and sanctioned Rs 1.20 lakhs to the Mission Hospital last week. Dr Satyajit Bose, Cardiac Surgeon and Head of the Mission Hospital has agreed to charge 80 percent of the cost of surgeries for the children referred under this special project. Roni was successfully operated upon to close VS on 4th April 2013. His parents are happy to have got the support, which they could never imagine.
• Four other children already funded for surgeries in this week, each Rs 1.20 lakhs. We have Rs 75 lakhs arranged under the innovative fund and we are hopeful of supporting all those identified by our dedicated teams at ICDS centres.
• May also read http://teamburdwan.blogspot.in/2013/04/cardiac-surgery-of-icds-kids-at-govt.html

It's really the most satisfying job we could perform as administrator. Well done TEAM BURDWAN.

Cardiac surgery of ICDS kids at Govt cost - poor children got new lease of normal life

 

Roni Mete S/o Nirad Mete from Bonkati Kanksa in ICU recovery room after VSD closure done successfully at the Mission Hospital Durgapur

District administration organised surgical intervention at Govt cost for 146 ICDS children in Burdwan district, identified through health check up camps. Roni Mete aged around 4.5 years from Bonkati Kanksa was successful operated upon by Dr Satyajot Bose at The Durgapur Mission Hospital on 4th April 2013. He is now recovering fast at the hospital.

• The parents are from poor background and had applied for financial assistance for the treatment at several places. Finally the child could be treated under innovative intervention of District administration at the cost of Rs 1.20 lakhs paid by Govt.
• Today, on 5/4/13 another child Anita Hasda admitted at The Mission hospital and further Parvin Khatoon will be admitted on 8th April and on 10th April, Nandini Kisku and Sk.Niamuddin will be operated for heart surgeries. Incidentally, it's pertinent to note that these children are from backward class/ tribal/ minority background and without this intervention by Dist administration, these families could not have afforded these kind of treatment. Further the food and other arrangements of parents are being taken care of by admn. We will continue to support poor children in need of treatment.

Letter in Bengali to all beneficiaries of IAY must be sent through GP staff

All BDOs please recall the instructions to issue Letter in Bengali to all IAY beneficiaries who got only first installment requesting him to start the works of his house and submit claim for next installment of Rs 22500 plus Rs 3200 or 4600 for sanitary latrines. Beneficiary is required to submit one photograph of house under construction.

• During my visit to different villages in Eral GP, it is noticed that no such letters have been issued despite orders from our end. One beneficiary Mahato Bauri complained that in absence of any proper communication he has not yet received next installment, thereby finding it difficult to complete the house. It is known from verification in BDO office that 2nd installment of Mr Mahato and others have been released in last week of March 2013 but due to communication gaps he did not up date bank passbook. Asked him to withdraw the funds from bank and complete the house.
• BDOs please ensure that one staff from GP visits every under construction house and intimates the beneficiary in writing through simple language Bengali letter about fund release and procedure to claim sanitary latrines funds.
• There are 15 such cases in Eral GP out of 84 where 2nd installment has not yet been released to beneficiary and no information is available with them as to how to claim it.

We need to sensitise staff properly. Let them also assist in taking photographs and purchase of bricks at reasonable rates.

Some of the Geetanjali houses constructed by administration in Ausgram1 and Ausgram2 blocks under PUP @ Rs 1.64 lakhs each

Shar Ashram hostel for Tribals in Ausgram2 block. Triple decker wooden beds

Visited Shar Ashram attached Adiwasi hostel today. Verified basic facilities of drinking water, toilets,  infrastructure of kitchen, dinning rooms and hostel.  Well maintained hostel where 165 students stay. Suggested to increase number of bathrooms and toilets and furniture in dinning rooms. Also advised to provide English newspapers,  magazines and book banks to students.  Grants needs to be released in time.  Asked PO DWO to release advance funds till June 2013 next week.
Good hostel, students are happy and satisfied.  Sports facilities are OK. Assured some carom boards, sports and games kits. Up to date payments of maintenance grants is OK.

Four Additional Class Rooms under construction at the cost of Rs 16.16 lakhs at Chintaharan Smiriti High School at Shar in Ausgram2

 

School authorities are constructing the rooms with extended grill verandas, that is why the work could not be completed within allotted funds. Sarba Siksha funds are allotted for ACRs with specific estimates and designs but local modifications by school authorities escalates the cost. Hope the school will arrange funds from other sources at their own so as to complete the works. 

IAY house under construction at Bahadurpur in Eral GP of Ausgram2

This is Mahato Bauri in front of IAY house he is constructing in his village Bahadurpur under Eral GP of Ausgram 2 block when we visited today.

• The house is made of mud with bamboo support, traditionally. As per norms of IAY pucca brick wall house with asbestos roof is to be constructed at the cost of Rs 45000.
• Considering the high cost of bricks and cement it is not possible to construct house with Rs 45000 without own imvestment of at least Rs 25000 to 35000, that is not affordable to poor tribals. So they prefer mud house, double storied out of IAY funds. Several beneficiaries of these areas did the same despite adverse reports by visiting national monitors from Govt of India. We are aso convinced about quality of house constructed by these tribals and understands their difficulties.
• Visited several houses today in three villages including Geetanjali pucca houses constructed at the cost of Rs 1.64 lakhs.  Plinth area of both houses is 245 Sq Feet each but IAY costs Rs 45000 only and Geetanjali Rs 1.64 lakhs. 
• Both the houses are two rooms with four windows and two doors.

Another Geetanjali house in Bahadurpur Eral GP

Geetanjali House under construction at Bahadurpur village in Ausgram2.

Sonamani Hembram in front of Geetanjali house constructed under PUP funds

She got this house constructed by administration under Geetanjali schemes funded by PUP @ Rs 1.64 lakhs four months ago. Village Chandipur Adivasipara of Eral GP in Ausgram2. 

 

Visited several houses today. Beneficiaries are happy to get beautifully constructed houses.

 

Sanatan Tudu's open air kitchen. Got new pucca house now on our intervention

This is open air kitchen of Sanatan Tudu, a poor tribal having kutcha mud hut in Bonpara village of Ausgram1.  In this picture his father and wife are seen.

• Sanatan requested me to provide pucca house during my visit to his house on 9th March 2013 while inspecting MGNREGA works. 
• Bdo Ausgram1 informed me today that one pucca house at Rs 1.64 lakhs has been sanctioned, construction  started and to be completed in this month by 15th April.  He was arranged house under Geetanjali along with 521 others.
• We are happy to help genuine poor tribal. Thanks Bdo Ausgram1.

 

Geetanjali houses handed over to beneficiaries in Paschimanchal in record six months time

521 houses to economically weaker sections were sanctioned in September 2012 under Geetanjali scheme in 10 blocks of Paschimanchal in Burdwan district. 

• Each house costs Rs 1.64 lakhs.
• Reviewed the progress of construction of houses with officials today and noted that 180 houses have already been handed over to the beneficiaries for living and progress of other houses is very good. All the houses will be handed over to beneficiaries in next two months after completion.
• District administration awarded the works to civil contractors through open competitive biddings in September 2012 in small package of 8-10 houses each. Rate schedule, item wise quantity,  specification and estimates were shared with individual beneficiary in one to one sitting organised by district administration before commencement of works on the lands of beneficiary. During these conferencing,  first of its kind in contractual public works, all the details of material and workmanship were agreed upon and handed over to the owner of house. 
• This ensured that owner of the house supervises the work as if he is getting it done investing own money and contractors were strictly told to adhere to the requirement of owner.
• There was strict advice not to permit interference by local Panchayat or any public representatives regarding work execution by agency but to consult beneficiary only. Quality of work and workmanship is expectedly very good as per reports of social audits conducted in some cases. 
• We are happy to complete so many houses to homeless needy tribals and other weaker sections in record time.

Well done Team Burdwan.

Economic Rehabilitation grants to 90 shelter less/ destitutte or poor women to be disbursed on 11th April 2013

District administration identified 90 women in Burdwan among shelter less, destitute, widows and unemployed poor persons without adequate livelihood support and have arranged one time financial package up to Rs 20000 in each case for income generating works to earn their livelihood. beneficiaries will purchase stitching machine, sewing machine or the similar nature of machines for starting their own works at home. In some cases, skill works of handicrafts and ready garments may also be taken up by them.

Cheques of Economic Rehabilitation grants will be distributed on 11th April 2013 among these beneficiaries at Sanskriti Metro.

Orders issued to Officials of land and land reforms department at blocks to Resume Govt. vested lands from unauthorised occupation.

In terms of recent circular from Land and Land Reforms department directions have been issued to all BLLROs through DLLRO to resume Govt vested lands occupied unauthorisedly by organisations or individuals without any written approval of Govt and orders of Collector.

• Directions were issued earlier for physical verification of vested lands recorded in favour of Collector in khatian number 1 and verify the same with Long Term Lease Registers to ascertain its legal validity. 
• On verification of LT Registers at BLLROs, it is noticed that some of the lease applications were either not allowed by authority or no LT settlement was obtained. 
• In several cases LT settlements were allowed by Govt but payments have not been paid up to date.
• There are cases where Govt vested lands have been kept un utilised for years together or used unauthorisedly for other purposes in violations of conditions.
• There are also cases where Govt vested lands allowed possession to Registered Societies by local bodies without any authority and with no permission from Govt.
• After getting preliminary verification reports from all blocks, strict directions issued to resume all such lands and update in Land Bank for public purposes.
• Already approximately 450 acres resumed and being added in Land Bank.
• In a review meeting with officials of Land and Land Reforms department today instructions issued to expedite resumption in all cases identified through field verification.

2. Land revenue and minor mineral revenue collection is also reviewed today. It is estimated that total collection from Land Revenue will be Rs 65 crores plus this year compared to Rs 62 crores last year.

3. Incidentally, overall resources mobilisation in Burdwan district has crossed Rs 3500 crores, in increase of Rs 400 crores over previous year.

Meeting with BDOs/ SDOs to be held on 12th at 11 am at VC Room

Next monthly meeting with SDOs and BDOs shall be held at 11 am on 12th April 2013 to review schemes and projects, administrative matters, Govt benefits and other welfare schemes in the district. Meeting in first half will concentrate more on internal administrative matters and second half those of line departments. Annual achievements of all blocks/ projects for 2012-13 and target setting of 2013-14 will be discussed.

 

Monthly development monitoring meeting shall be held on 13th April at 11 am onwards. Annual Review of all departments to be done.

Free surgeries to ICDS kids under NRHM, applications invited.

After successful surgeries of 563 school students organised by Burdwan District administration, treatment of 11000 others at Govt expenses out of 9.6 lakhs health check up last year, we have now replicated the affirmative and innovative actions for ICDS kids also.

• Growth monitoring by taking weight and check up of health of 5 lakhs kids conducted at 9300 ICDS centers of district covering 39 projects, by ICDS workers visiting house to house in last six months. 3400 children identified through screening with below average growth i.e. moderate to severely malnourished children were facilitated health check up by medical teams and child specialists to ascertain cause of illness/ poor body growth.
• On their recommendations it is found that out of them 146 children need immediate surgeries for serious ailments related to Heart, eyes Kidney, Hernea, Orthopaedic etc. We submitted proposal and got sanction of Rs 35 lakhs from NRHM funds for treatment of these kids at Private/ Govt hospitals at our expenses to be paid to hospital of choice of parents.
• Full actual Expenditure up to Rs 1.20 lakhs in each case to be provided for treatment. First Five kids to be operated for Cardiac surgery next week, on 3rd, 5th and 10th April 2013. We are happy to assist them living normal life. Sanction of Rs six lakhs for five kids sanctioned today.
• Any needy student/ ICDS kid may approach us at dm-burd@nic.in or in DM office/ SDO offices.

My blog is open to public again.

After almost one month gap, I am back on blog deactivating FB. All updates on our activities will be available here.