Lok Sabha MP chairs SGAY entry point level meeting at Phensong

MANGAN, (IPR): Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Indra Hang Subba chaired the Entry Point Level Meeting (EPLM) under the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) at CRC Hall, Phensong GPU on Wednesday. He was joined by Kabi Tingda MLA Thinley Tshering Bhutia.

The meeting had the presence and participation of Adhyaksha Mangan Kado Lepcha, panchayats, DC Mangan Anant Jain, joint secretary RDD-cum-State Nodal Officer SAGY, Deepak Rai, ADC (Development) Mangan Dr. Sonam R. Lepcha, SDM Kabi Monika Rai, BDO Kabi Tashi Wangyal Bhutia, panchayats and officers of line departments.

The programme commenced with the welcome address by ADC Development Mangan, Dr. Sonam R Lepcha.

MLA, Kabi Tingda, Thinley Tshering Bhutia in his address expressed his gratitude to the MP on behalf of the GPU. He emphasised the need for both the public and officials to remain informed about various government schemes and incentives. He further reiterated the responsibility of every individual to contribute diligently to the development of the ward and the nation. He underlined the importance of public participation in meetings, training sessions, and awareness programmes to stay updated on government initiatives.

State Nodal Officer, SAGY, Deepak Rai presented an overview of Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY).He apprised that Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana, an initiative of the Government of India, was launched on 11th October, 2014 with an aim to create model Gram Panchayat (Adarsh Gram) in different parts of the country.

The focus of SAGY is on outcomes and sustainability to ensure the holistic development of the village. The scheme entails adoption of villages by respective Member of Parliament, both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, to carry out stipulated developmental activities in convergence with Central and State government schemes and CSR.

The Village Development Plan prepared by the Gram Sabha in consultation with the charge officer (concerned BDO) and line departments forms the framework of the SAGY. The Rural Development department is the nodal department to facilitate the implementation of the programmes under SAGY.

Kabi BDO Tashi Wangyal Bhutia made a brief presentation highlighting the progress of implementation of various schemes in the GPU. He then presented the draft of the Village Development Plan (VDP).

The draft VDP was discussed in detail and inputs and feedback was sought from officers of the line departments regarding issues such as feasibility and timeline for implementation.

Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba, while highlighting the aim of developing a model GPU, emphasised the role of responsible individuals in actively participating and working in coordination for the successful implementation of the programme. He stated that practical goals must be set and followed up effectively by the concerned authorities. Development, he said, cannot be imposed but must be achieved through collective earnestness and dedication. He also suggested economic expansion activities such as the development of tourism hotspots and cluster plantations of ornamental plants along highways, alongside optimal utilisation of available resources and infrastructure.

Responding to suggestions and queries regarding the VDP draft presented by BDO Kabi, the MP directed concerned authorities to prioritise and organise a special ward-wise drive to compile details on Aadhaar seeding and linking, which has become a challenge in enabling beneficiaries to access government schemes and incentives. He also recommended that schemes such as 'Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan', 'Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana', and 'Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana' be explored and incorporated into the VDP. Additionally, he instructed nodal officers from all departments to draft and submit a plan of action within a month.

Conclusively, he expressed his hope for achieving a plastic-free Phensong GPU and urged that plastic waste management systems be made functional effectively.

The meeting concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by vice president, Phensong GPU, Kezong Lepcha.