Planning Commission
(State Plans Division)
Subject: Report of
Performance review of
flagship programmes
implemented in the state
of West Bengal
SUMMARY
Adviser (SP-WB) and
Director (SP-WB) visited
th th
West Bengal during 4 -7
November 2009 to review
the implementation of
Flagship programmes. They
1
had field visits in the Nadia
district to see the on site
implementation of
programmes. They also
talked to beneficiaries and
stakeholders besides district
level officers. They also had
discussions with Concerned
Principal
Secretaries/Secretaries of
State Govt on 6th November
at Kolkata.
(1) General: It was
mentioned that certain
border areas/ hill areas and
2
district affected by Left Wing
Extremism (LWE), the
normal programmes
including flagship
programmes face
implementation problems as
staff are unwilling to work
due to unsatisfactory
working/living conditions.
These areas need to have
certain incentive structure on
the pattern of incentive
available to Central Govt
employees being posted in
North East/ J&K etc.
3
(2) National Rural
Employment Generation
Act ((NREGA) (a) West
Bengal faces some major
constraints in implementation
of NREGA due to lowest
land man ratio in the country,
Very high cropping intensity
(more than 180%) and High
and prolonged rainfall from
June to October. Some
alternative methods need to
be devised so that people
can be provided jobs during
monsoon season. (b) There
4
is a need to increase the
number of financial
institutions/post offices so
that timely payment is made.
(c) State has also demanded
that material component of
programme be raised from
40%.
(3) Indira Awas Yojana
(IAY) (a) Under IAY, one
major problem that is faced
is non availability of
homestead plot for the first
category of the families, it
takes time to organize plots
5
for them (b) The problem is
more acute in the area with
high population densities,
those located in peri-urban
areas and those areas facing
river erosion where non
availability of land has
resulted in high increase in
land price, which makes it
difficult to buy land within
allowed limit under IAY or
state scheme for the
purpose.
(4) Pradhan Mantri Gram
Sadk Yojana (PMGSY) (a)
6
Non-availability of land and
inadequate contracting
capacity of the contractors
are the most critical
impediments in achieving
100% of targets. (b)State
Government has requested
that funds may be provided
for maintenance of the roads
to Zila Parishad after the
initial period of 5 years under
which contractor is
responsible for maintenance.
(5)Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
(SSA) (a) Substantial
7
reduction in out of school
children was observed.(b)
There were lack of Upper
Primary Schools (c) It was
also informed that unit cost
for school toilets is Rs.27,
650. As toilets also need
foundation, tile floors, good
drainage system etc; the unit
cost is not sufficient. It was
suggested that the unit cost
be raised to Rs 40,000.
(6) Mid Day Meal Scheme
(MDMS) ( (a) It was found
that the allotment of fund
8
under MDM for construction
of kitchen shed seems to be
inadequate in respect to the
present market price. (b)
Conversion cost at the rate
of Rs 2.50 per school day
per student needs to be
increased at Rs 5.00 per
school day per student
(7)National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM) (a)
Availability of medicines
improved. But spending
capacity is poor (b)
Institutional delivery also
9
improved (c) The non-
availability of the lands is the
major bottlenecks to
construct permanent building
for the Sub centre under
NRHM.
(8) Accelerated Rural
Water Supply Programme
(ARWSP): State
Government requested that
in States like West Bengal
where large part of areas are
affected by arsenic and iron,
the limit of 20% of funds for
10
dealing with quality issues
should not be insisted upon.
(9) Accelerated Irrigation
Benefit Programme (a).
The State Govt requested
for the relaxation of the
norms under the programme
so that Naxal affected zones
can also be included under
AIBP assistance under 90 %
grant pattern.
(10)Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM) : (a)
11
The entire burden of cost
escalation should not be
borne by them while
implementing JNNURM. It
needs to be shared.(b) The
State Govt. was of the view
that comprehensive water
supply schemes for all towns
be approved under
UIDSSMT. (c) They also
requested that for release of
second and subsequent
instalments, the power
should be delegated to them.
The State Govt. also
12
requested that certain
reforms be made optional
such as O&M of water
supply projects, and solid
waste management
(11) Accelerated Power
Development and Reform
Programme (APDRP):
(a)The State is facing
problems in the availability of
equipments under APDRP
since the manufacturers are
overburdened to supply
these to different Power
13
Utilities simultaneously for
APDRP works. (b) The State
is also facing an acute
problem in acquisition of
lands for 33/11 KV new
substations.
(12) National Horticulture
Mission (NHM): (a)The cost
norm for most of the
components is old. (b)The
poor off take of PHM projects
has been due to lower cost
norms and assistance.
(c)The staff at field level for
implementation of large
14
scale horticultural
development under NHM is
inadequate.
(13) National Social
Assistance Progrmme
(NSAP): (a) One difficulty
that is being faced is delay in
opening accounts in banks
and post offices for payment
of pension while
implementing NSAP. (b)It
was informed that there are
questions about correctness
of the BPL list. (c) A fresh
survey/ BPL Census is
15
needed. It was informed that
there is no effective provision
for sending pension at home
for infirm beneficiaries.
16
Planning Commission
(State Plans Division)
Subject: Report of
Performance review of
flagship programmes
implemented in the state
of West Bengal
Undersigned (Shri Harish
Chandra, Adviser (SP-WB))
along with Dr. Sharad Pant,
Director (SP-WB), Planning
Commission visited West
Bengal to review the
performance of the flagship
17
programmes implemented in
the state during 4-7
November, 2009. We
reached Kolkata on 4th
November, 09 at 10:15 AM
and then proceeded to
Krishnanagar, the
headquarter of Nadia district
and reached there around
1:00 PM. This district is
situated on Indo Bangladesh
Border and has some
important centres of
pilgrimage and ancient
learning like Nabadwip,
18
Santipur and Mayapur,
places of historical interest
like Ballal Dhipi, Battle
ground of Plassey,
Krishnanagar Rajbari, Birth
place of Poet Krittibas at
Fulia and tourist spots like
Bethuadahari Forest and
Ghurni.
It is also known as one of
the highest producer of
horticultural crops in the
State and also famous for its
handicraft, handloom
products particularly sarees.
19
At Krishna Nagar, a meeting
was held in the afternoon
with the District Collector and
other district level officers
dealing with various flagship
programmes. The progress
of the flagship programmes
in the district was reviewed
in detail. We have visited the
site of construction of
overhead tank for Water
Supply scheme in the
Krishnanagar town being
implemented under Urban
Infrastructure Development
20
Scheme for Small and
Medium Towns (UIDSSMT),
JNNURM and also visited
few houses constructed
under Integrated Housing
and Slum Development
Programme (IHSDP) of
JNNURM and had
discussions with the
occupants who were allotted
these houses to know their
reactions. All of them were
very happy as they could not
have dream to live in such
21
houses without the Govt
support.
On 5th November, team
had field visits in the district
to see the implementation of
ICDS, Mid Day Meal, IAY,
NRHM, NREGA, PMGSY,
ARWSP, NSAP and TSC
programmes. Various
questions were asked from
the beneficiaries and the
suggestions and difficulties
faced in the implementation
of these programmes were
noted. In the evening, the
22
team reached Gayeshpur
Municipality which falls under
Kolkata Municipal
Development Area (KMDA)
and visited the site of water
supply scheme where the
construction work was going
on. Under the UIG
component of JNNURM
programme and houses
constructed under Basic
Services to the Urban Poor
(BSUP) of JNNURM. The
beneficiaries were
interviewed. Team returned
23
th
to Kolkata at 9:00 PM. On 6
November, a meeting was
held at Planning &
Development Department,
Government of West Bengal
along with concerned
Principal
Secretaries/Secretaries of
State Government dealing
with flagship programmes.
Smt. Jaya Dasgupta,
Principal Secretary (Plg &
Dev), Govt of West Bengal
piloted the discussions.
24
The concerns, issues and
suggestions for improvement
of programmes emerged
during the discussions held
in the meeting and
experiences of field visits
were shared with the
concerned Secretaries.
These are summarised
programme wise in
subsequent paragraphs.
It was also mentioned that
certain border areas/ hill
areas and district affected by
LWE, the normal
25
programmes including
flagship programmes face
implementation problems as
staff are unwilling to work
due to unsatisfactory
working/living conditions.
These areas need to have
certain incentive structure on
the pattern of incentive
available to Central Govt
employees being posted in
North East/ J&K etc.
1 National Rural
Employment Guarantee
Scheme Programme
26
The performance under
the programme is as
under:
(Rs. crore)
Year Allocatio Expenditur Lab
n e Bud
2008- 1550.00 940.38 169
09 7
2009- 2240.53 706.37 179
10 * 0
* Up to September, 2009.
During the last year, out of
96.66 lakh households
27
registered under NREGA,
out of which about one third,
i.e. 30.23 lakh applied and
given employment. The
average number of
employment per household
works out to 26 which is
lower than many States.
However, during the first six
months of the current year
(2009-10), the average
number of jobs provided per
household was 22 which is
expected to rise substantially
during the remaining part of
28
the year. It was also
mentioned that total person
days generated during the
current year, till September
2009, was about 73% higher
than that of jobs generated
during the corresponding
period of the previous year. It
is felt that in the current year,
about 1500 lakh person days
of jobs are likely to be
generated and employment
per household is likely to be
more than 40 days per
household. It was also
29
mentioned that in many
Districts, the percentage of
urban area is high and also
coupled with high cropping
intensity due to which
demand as well as scope of
providing works remain
limited.
It was informed that 1.01
lakh schemes were
implemented during the year
2008-09, which is likely to
increase by around 20%
during this year. Till
September 2009, as many
30
as 34,470 numbers of
schemes have been
completed and another
44,480 numbers of schemes
are under implementation.
The main emphasis has
been on water conservation,
rural connectivity,
afforestation, flood protection
and drainage and
development of individual
land for more productive use
of the same. Effort is also
being made on convergence
of NREGA with other
31
schemes and making full
utilization of the assets
created for expanding
livelihood of the people and
generating employment
opportunities over a
sustained period by
utilization of the assets
created. With inclusion of
small & marginal farmers for
development of their land,
there would be more scope
to take up land development
and irrigation & water
harvesting structures as well
32
as development of
horticulture.
During the field visit at
Krishnanagar block it was
informed that due to less
demand only 6 families have
been provided 100 days of
employment so far during
2009-10. The total number
2,460 job cards were made
in the block. In the absence
of bank branch, all the
payments were made
through the Post Offices.
The nearest bank branch
33
was about 5 km away. Due
to limited financial capacity
of the post offices both in
terms of manpower and
capacity of cash handling,
the recipients were getting
their payments after delayed
period of more than 15 days
which is violation of Act.
West Bengal also faces
some major constraints in
implementation of NREGA.
These are (1) the lowest land
man ratio in the country. (2)
Very high cropping intensity
34
(more than 180%) due to
which farm land is not free
for major period of year. (3)
High and prolonged rainfall
from June to October. Thus
when there is demand for
employment large number of
families would demand so for
relatively less time period,
which poses problem of
management of works as
well as reduction in average
employment generation per
household. Some alternative
methods need to be devised
35
so that people can be
provided jobs during
monsoon season.
It was also brought to the
notice that there is a lack of
financial institutions/Post
Offices resulting in delay in
payment. Therefore, persons
are forced to do the job
where regular timely
payment is assured. There is
a need to increase the
number of financial
institutions/post offices so
that timely payment is made.
36
State has also demanded
that material component of
programme be raised from
40%. The Standard
Schedule of rates particularly
of bricks is much lower than
the market rate of about
Rs.6000 per 1000 bricks
including transport cost. This
puts hindrance for
Panchayats to take up
connectivity within the
habitations. Therefore, the
regular system of
upgradation of standard
37
schedule of rates is
desirable.
2. Indira Awas Yojna (IAY)
The financial performances
of the programme is as
under
(Rs. crore)
Year Allocatio Expenditur %
n e expe
2008- 861.52 452.40 5
09
2009- 822.19 328.15 3
10 *
* Up to August 2009
38
As per household survey
conducted during 2005 ,out
of 113.9 lakh household 5.78
lakh (4.3%)households were
houseless and another 57.3
lakh (42.7%) households
lived in kuchha houses,
which requires
improvement. Against that
target of 1,53,697 houses for
the year 2008-09 under IAY
1,22,057 houses were
constructed. . In the current
year up to September 2009,
91,818 houses have been
39
constructed so far against a
target of constructing 2,
97,564 houses.
It was mentioned that
there had been initial delay
in finalizing BPL list in the
permanent wait list of
potential beneficiaries.
Election to Panchayats in the
year 2008 also slowed down
the progress. The problems
have been overcome
substantially now. Shortfall in
achievement in the previous
year would be mostly
40
covered up in the current
year except in the hill district
of Darjeeling.
One major problem that is
faced is non availability of
homestead plot for the first
category of the families, it
takes time to organize plots
for them and as a result
sometimes families with
lower priority in the
permanent wait list have to
be provided with the
assistance for construction of
houses. The problem is more
41
acute in the area with high
population densities, those
located in peri-urban areas
and those areas facing river
erosion where non
availability of land has
resulted in high increase in
land price, which makes it
difficult to buy land within
allowed limit under IAY or
state scheme for the
purpose. Provision for bank
loan up to Rs.20,000 has
been made under IAY at DRI
but a general apathy of
42
bankers has made the same
difficult to implement.
State Government has
also demanded that the cost
of IAY house be raised
substantially.
43
3. Prime Minister Gram
Sadak Yojna (PMGSY)
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under
(Rs crore)
Year Allocatio Expenditur %
n e expe
2008- 4650.90 2353.36 5
09
2009- 2645.28 2530.43 9
10 *
* Up to August 2009
44
During the year 2008-09
against a target of
constructing 2000 km of
road, the achievement has
been 1877 km. Number of
1000+ habitations connected
had been 1314 against a
target of 1704. The target of
expenditure was Rs.700
crore against which the
achievement was Rs.583
crore. However, this was
much higher than
construction of 1574 km of
road and expenditure of
45
Rs.446 crore achieved
during the previous year.
During the current year the
target is to connect 770
habitations with population of
1000+ and to construct 2083
km of road with an
expenditure of Rs.805 crore.
Achievement till October has
been 39 number of
habitations (1000+), 397 km
of roads and an expenditure
of Rs.222.60 crore.
However, progress of
construction is picking up
46
only from the month of
November onwards, which is
more suitable for taking up
road construction activities. It
is expected to reach the
target by the end of the
financial year.
Non-availability of land
and inadequate contracting
capacity of the contractors
are the most critical
impediments in achieving
100% of targets in the past.
Steps have been taken for
augmenting capacities of the
47
contractors as well as
implementing agencies.
Prolonged rain is also a
major factor in restricting the
progress of construction for
around five months of the
year. State Government has
requested that funds may be
provided for maintenance of
the roads to Zila Parishad
after the initial period of 5
years under which contractor
is responsible for
maintenance.
48
It was suggested that
DPRs for connecting
remaining habitations under
Bharat Nirman (rural roads
component) need to be
expedited soon by the State
Govt and all efforts are
required to be made in order
to ensure that projects for
which clearance have been
issued by March 2009 are
completed within the current
year (2009-10). Works in
respect of the remaining
eligible habitations should be
49
targeted for completion in
2010-11.
4. Total Sanitation
Campaign (TSC)
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under
(Rs crore)
Year Allocation/Releas Expend
e e
2008- 161.81 15.00
09
2009- 9.75 28.26
10 *
50
* Up to August 2009
The target under TSC
for State is to construct
91.81,021 household toilets,
134,981 toilets for schools,
50,630 toilets for ICDS
centres and to also construct
1290 number of community
toilets. By the end of the year
2008-09 as many as
61,00,433 household toilets,
which is the largest
component of the
programme were
constructed out of which 4,
51
48,120 numbers of toilets
were constructed during the
year 2008-09. During the
year 2009-10 total 1,17,219
number of toilets have been
constructed taking the
cumulative total to 62,17,652
.Progress of construction of
toilets for schools, ICDS
centres and community
toilets during the year 2008-
09 were 9941, 945 and 49
respectively . Construction of
such facilities during the first
six months of the current
52
year have been 8156, 2434
and 23 respectively. Up to
the year 2008-09 as many as
932 out of total 3351 Gram
Panchayats have been
awarded the Nirmal Gram
Puruskar for providing
access to sanitary toilets in
all households and making
the area free from open
defecation. It was informed
that progress of TSC in
some of the district has not
been satisfactory and all
efforts are being made to
53
improve performances of
those districts.
During the field visit it was
informed that previously a
model with the unit cost of
Rs.640 - per unit of
Household Latrine was
accepted. At present an
upgraded model with the unit
cost of Rs.2500 is being
followed which gives issue to
resentment among the
people who got the old
model. The beneficiaries are
of opinion that they are ready
54
to wait further for a better
model with an even better
price. There is possibility of
delay in the implementation
of the programme due to this
attitude and there is a need
to upgrade the old model
constructed earlier.
It was also informed that
unit cost for school toilets is
Rs.27, 650. As toilets also
need foundation, tile floors,
good drainage system etc;
the unit cost is not sufficient.
55
It was suggested that the
unit cost be raised to Rs
40,000.
It was suggested by us
that State should declare
time frame for becoming
Nirmal State and work
towards the same. The State
should aim in completing
schools/ anganwadi toilets
by March 2010.
5. Sarva Siksha Abhiyan
(SSA)
56
The financial performances
of the programme were as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 1698. 1234.46 72.67
8- 73
09
200 2138. 767.03 35.87
9- 42
10
*
* Up to September, 2009
57
Status of enrolment and out
of school children ,
institutional arrangement ,
pupil teacher ratio, status of
regular teacher under SSA,
status of para- teachers are
as follows: (As on 31-3-
2009):-
5+
9+ to 5+ to
Age group to
13+ 13+
8+
79,
1,61,
33, 82,02
Population 35,43
24 ,192
9
7
58
96,
1,68,
Gross 15, 72,70
85,83
Enrolment 15 ,679
5
6
78
1,40,
Net 5,7 6237
95,61
enrolment ,85 757
4
7
Out of 75,
2,07, 2,82,
School 39
136 526
Children 0
Net
Enrolment 99.
76.05 87.35
Rate 05
(NER) (%)
59
Gross
12
Enrolment 104.6
1.2 88.64
Rate 5
0
(GER) (%)
60
Institutional Arrangement:-
7
No. of Primary
2
education circles
6
No. of Circle 7
Resource Center 1
(CLRC / URC) 3
4
No. of Cluster
2
Resource Center
1
(CRC) formed
7
No. of Village 3
Education 8,
Committee (VEC) 2
61
5
formed
4
No. of Ward 3
Education 0
Committee (WEC) 3
formed 4
4
No. of Primary 9,
Schools (100% 8
Govt. funded) 9
3
No. of Upper 9,
primary Schools 5
(Govt. / Govt. 2
aided) 8
62
Pupil Teacher Ratio
3
Prim
9.
ary
6
level
8
5
Upper
5.
Primary
1
Level
2
4
Element
5.
ary
6
Level
9
Status of Regular Teacher
63
under SSA
20
20
09
Item 08-
-
09
10
Fil Fil
Sa V Sa Va
le le
nct ac nct ca
d d
ion an ion nc
U U
ed cy ed y
p p
Upper
14 10 15 11
Primary 32 39
20 91 29 36
Regular 87 37
1 4 9 2
Teacher
Regular 14 0 14 17 0 17
64
Teacher
for 70 70 02 02
Newly 0 0 8 8
set up
upper
primary
schools
New
Teacher
72 72
s for 0
0 0
New
Primary
School
Status of Para-teacher
65
20 20
Item 08- 09-
09 10
Fil Fil
Sa Va Sa Va
le le
nct ca nct ca
d d
ion nc ion nc
U U
ed y ed y
p p
25 22 25 22
37 37
Primary 78 06 78 00
16 81
1 5 1 0
37 32 37 33
Upper 42 31
01 71 01 84
Primary 93 69
0 7 0 1
Total 62 54 80 62 55 69
66
79 78 79 84
09 50
1 2 1 1
Though access to
primary level education is
fulfilled, there is an acute
shortage of upper primary
schools. There is an urgent
need to construct upper
primary and secondary
schools in the State.
The team visited schools
under Sadhampara Gram
Panchayat and observed that
all teachers are available in
67
school and records of teachers
attendance have been
checked. The school has also
appointed a blind teacher as a
resource person to facilitate all
the schools for children with
special needs. It was also
informed that the district
generally receives a significant
amount of the allotment of
budget approval during last
quarter of ongoing financial
year. Due to this, the district
often cannot utilize its total
allotment within the same
68
financial year. The allotment if
arranged to reach the District
before February of the running
financial year will help in better
utilization of fund.
During the meeting, it was
observed that due to field
level problem e.g. land
disputes etc there are
hindrances to smooth
completion of civil works. The
issue of engaging teachers in
primary schools was pending
for a long time before Hon'ble
High Court, Kolkata which has
69
adversely affected the quality.
The issue has been resolved
and it was expected that
vacant posts of teachers
would be filled soon. During
the meeting the following
points were highlighted
i. The contractual employees
engaged in the project both
at state and district level
keeps on leaving the
project for better
opportunity / permanent
service else where. It has
affected the performances
70
of project under different
activities.
ii. Land is not easily available
for setting up of new school
iii.Different stakeholders in
grass root level, district &
state level are involved in
setting up of new primary
& upper primary schools
and the whole process
takes much time for
coordination among them.
iv. Teachers are almost
engaged throughout the
year for continuous
71
comprehensive evaluation
and as such for in service
teachers training, teachers
are not finding time to
undergo in service training.
The State Govt. suggested
that in NPEGEL there should
be a dedicated cluster
coordinator with the
remuneration of Rs 20001-
per month approx. Girls
trafficking is prevalent mainly
in boarder blocks as such all
border blocks may be
provided with one KGBV .In
72
all Educationally Backward
Blocks (EBBs) 1 Minority
blocks may be provided with
KGBVs.
6. Mid-day Meal
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 200.0 252.80 126.40
8- 0
73
09
200 390.0 34.15 8.76
9- 0
10
*
* Up to August 2009
The cooked Mid-Day Meal
Programme has gathered its
desired level of momentum
in the Primary Schools and
other schools run by the
NGOs like CLPOA,
PARIYAR etc. Noticeable
improvement has been done
in respect of enrollment,
74
attendance, retention and
Learning Level of Children.
In the last year the provision
of State Budget was kept at
Rs 200 crore initially and it
was augmented to Rs. 309
crore finally. But only Rs.
252.79 crore was utilized.
In respect of Primary
Schools the cooking cost
was utilized 72.5% of its total
available fund in that year
and for Upper Primary
School it was 50% of it. The
percentage coverage of
75
Primary and Upper Primary
Schools was 90.12 and 39
respectively; the coverage of
the number of students
under MDM for 2008-09 at
the Primary level is 93.4%. It
would appear that Bankura,
Uttar Dinajpur & East
Medinipur district had the
highest coverage.
The major problem of
coverage is in the urban
areas of Kolkata and other
municipalities. The State
Govt. has informed that the
76
steps are being taken to
increase the coverage in
these areas. The total
coverage targets in respect
to Primary and Upper
Primary schools during the
current year are 76,71,009
and 36,99,311 respectively.
The team visited number
of schools in Sadhanpara
Gram Panchayat and
inspected the food served
under Mid-day Meal
Scheme. The taste of the
food was satisfactory .The
77
children were provided food
everyday and were satisfied
with the quality of food
served in the schools. The
demand of different menu for
different days was made to
reduce monotony.
It was found that the
allotment of fund for
construction of kitchen shed
seems to be inadequate in
respect to the present
market price. Hence, there is
inadequate infrastructure like
kitchen sheds in the schools.
78
It was requested that cost of
utensils also needed to be
increased from Rs 5,000 to
Rs 10,000 where the roll
strength is 300 or even
more. In view of recent hike
in various commodities
including vegetables,
condiments, Conversion cost
at the rate of Rs 2.50 per
school day per student
needs to be increased at Rs
5.00 per school day per
student and remuneration to
the cooks also needs to be
79
increased from Rs 600 per
month to Rs 1,200 per month
where the roll strength is not
above 500.
7. Integrated Child
Development Services
(ICDS)
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
80
200 130.0 130.00 100.00
8- 0
09
200 150.0 41.34 27.56
9- 0
10
*
* Up to August 2009
The sanctioned strength of
ICDS projects is 416. Under
RIDF-VIII, 717 nos. of
Anganwadi Centres have
already been constructed.
Construction of 1707
Anganwadi Centres under
81
RIDF-XIII and RIDF-IV are
under progress. Construction
of 423 nos. of Anganwadi
Centres from Department
For International
Development (DFID)
assistance under Health
Sector Development
Initiative (HSDI) Programme,
construction of 300 centres
under DFID is being taken
up during 2009-10 along with
other programmes.
The Supplementary
Nutrition Programme (SNP)
82
is meant for children and
expectant and nursing
mothers under the ICDS
schemes. This scheme
provides for the cost of food
and other materials for
children upto 6 years of age
under ICDS projects as well
as for pregnant and lactating
mothers. The package of
services includes
supplementary nutrition,
immunization, health check
up, referral services, nutrition
and health education and
83
non-formal pre-school
education through the
Anganwadi Centres.
The team visited Dhublia
and reviewed the ICDS
programme. Under these
programme, the anganwadi
beneficiaries were provided
boiled eggs and other
nutritious food. They were
satisfied with the facilities
served under this
programme. The regular
maintenance of registers
was observed. The AW
84
Workers maintain important
records (child register, child
weight register and growth
charts including necessary
records) and update in a
regular way. Formats are
given to CDPOs by DPO to
bring about uniformity in the
district. Supervisors check
the records regularly, guide
the AW workers and note
their comments in the visit
book. The supervisors were
also maintaining their
respective diary. The CDPO
85
checks up the diaries and
comments regarding their
activities.
8. National Rural Health
Mission (NRHM)
Against the total
availability of the funds of
Rs.600.38 crore during the
period 2005-09, the funds
released were only
Rs.347.88 crore. The
expenditure incurred was
Rs.191.17 crore. The
unspent balance during the
year 2008-09 was reduced to
86
Rs.48.7 crore as compare to
Rs.84.07 crore during the
pervious year. However the
total unspent balance
available with districts and
agencies was Rs.157.02
crore. The State need to
improve its systems to gear
up spending capacity under
NHRM.
The Health indicators of
the State are relatively
better. The MMR was 141,
IMR was 35. The State has
already achieved TFR of 1.9
87
against the NRHM target of
2.1.
The State has taken a
decision to place second
ANM in all the sub-centres.
In the first batch of 3527
selected ANM, 2751 have
passed the final exam and
engaged in respective sub-
centres. In the second batch
final exam has been held in
respect of 969 candidates
and they would be deployed
soon. In third batch 3010
have been selected and they
88
would be deployed in
September 2010. Fourth
batch of 1285 ANM would
th
start their training from 30
October 2009.
To fill up the vacant post of
Specialists and GDMOs,
contractual appointment
through walk-in-interview has
been permitted. Out of 157
specialists and 201 GDMOs
initially engaged only 29
specialists and 28 GDMOs
are in position. It is learned
that the scale of the payment
89
is not attractive; therefore,
GDMOs are not continuing
were longer period.
It was informed that
meeting of State & District
Health Mission have been
held regularly. Meetings of
State Health Mission were
conducted three times and
that of District Health Mission
were conducted two hundred
forty seven times. Merger of
societies is completed in
eighteen districts. 13312
VHSCs have been
90
constituted & 6670 Joint
Accounts have been
operationalized. Rogi Kalyan
Samities are operational at
15 DH, 346 CHCs & 921
PHCs . Out of 19 districts, 18
districts have started
developing their own IDHAP.
It was also informed that a
total of 168 PHCs have been
strengthened with three Staff
Nurses to make them
functional for 24x7 work.
State has 346 CHC
functioning on 24X7 basis &
91
facility survey completed in
163 (including others health
institution below district
level). A total of 39 SOHs, 15
District Hospitals, 7 CHCs
and others equal to and
below district level are
functioning as FRUs. No
Mobile Medical Unit (MMU)
in the state.
Against the 42650 Ashas to
be selected 21258 has been
approved which are about
50% of the strength. It is
worth mentioning that only
92
about one third of these
completed all five modules of
training. Training facilities
need to be improved.
Institutional deliveries
improved from 7.31 lakhs
(2006-07) to 8.33 lakhs
(2007 -08) and further 8.85
lakhs Institutional deliveries
in the state during the year
2008-09. JSY beneficiaries
have increased from 2.25
lakhs (2006-07) to 5.73 lakhs
(07 -08). The numbers of
JSY beneficiaries were 3.17
93
lakh during the year 2008-
09. Female sterilizations
have increased from 1.35
lakh (2006-07) to 2.70 lakh
(2007-08) and male
sterilizations have increased
from 1828 (2006-07) to
20718 (2007-08). During
year 2008-09, 83945 female
& 16941 male sterilization
cases have been reported. 6
districts are implementing
IMNCI.
The team visited Dhublia
BPHC in the Nadia District
94
and checked the
computerised performance
reports of the centre. It was
found that all the records are
in proper order and
medicines are being
distributed to the patients
regularly. No shortage was
reported. Some patients
were also interacted and
they informed that they are
visiting the centre and are
receiving proper treatments.
On an average about 500
patients visits the centre
95
daily. There are 15 numbers
of beds and three doctors in
the centre. Ambulance
services are being provided
by the State Govt and are
being managed by the
NGOs. Other sub centres in
the block are in the rented
premises. The non-
availability of the lands is the
major bottlenecks to
construct permanent building
for the Sub centre. Two
doctors were present and
one has gone for training. It
96
was observed that
construction of a new
building has been completed
and the centre would shift to
the new building shortly as
certain logistics would be
supplied by State
Headquarters. The post of
Specialists also needs to be
filled up. It was also
mentioned that there is no
identified fund for connection
of electricity and water
supply in newly constructed
sub-centres leading to
97
difficulty in utilization of new
sub centre building.
9. Accelerated Rural Water
Supply Programme
(ARWSP) (NRWSP)
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 130.0 130.00 100.00
8- 0
09
98
200 150.0 41.34 27.56
9- 0
10
*
* Up to August 2009
During 2009-10, the
programme of rural water
supply has been renamed as
National Rural Drinking
Water Programme (NRDWP)
with effect from April, 2009.
During this year the available
fund up to September, 2009
is Rs. 154.82 crore out of
which Rs. 113.37 crore has
99
been released for
expenditure. The State
Government has also
released Rs. 214.18 crore as
its share. The target for
coverage of habitations
during 2009-10 is 9093 vis-à-
vis which upto September,
2009, 535 habitations have
been covered. The
population covered upto
September, 2009 is 2.21
lakh against the target of
13.55 lakh.
100
During the field visit in
Nadia District it was found
that Nadia district has been
declared as an Arsenic
affected areas by Arsenic
Task Force, Govt. of West
Bengal. Now, at the first
developing stage of
extending network of the
rural piped water supply
scheme in the district, it has
come into serious
consideration that the use of
ground water in excess will
go on adding to its depletion
101
as well as chemical
contamination too. The
eastern part of the district
has sufficient surface water
potentiality due to presence
of river Bhagirathi, which
seems to be the only source
of water for the future years
considering deterioration in
chemical quality of ground
water. Over and above,
surface water based
schemes can only bring the
permanent and unique
102
solution so far potable water
is concerned.
It has been informed to the
State Govt. that for providing
alternate safe sources in
arsenic affected areas large
river based schemes have
been taken up, which are
taking longer time for
completion and may spill
over to Twelfth Five Year
Plan.
The State PHED is yet to
come up with proven
technology for removal of
103
arsenic from drinking water
source although many of the
technologies have been
piloted in the field. The issue
of reject management is yet
to be solved. State Govt
clarified that they have tried
various alternative
technologies developed
elsewhere in the World and it
would not be difficult to
separate sludge which is
very low in quantity.
State Government
requested that in State like
104
West Bengal where large
part of areas are affected by
arsenic and iron, the limit of
20% of funds for quality
affected should not be
insisted upon. We support
this demand.
10. Accelerated Irrigation
Benefit Programme (AIBP).
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
105
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 167.0 66.44 39.78
8- 0
09
200 314.0 31.56 10.05
9- 0
10
*
* Up to August 2009
So far, 270 major/medium
irrigation projects have been
included under AIBP and out
of which 109 projects have
been completed. Of which
106
three project are in the State
of West Bengal, these are
namely Kangsabati,
Modernization of barrage &
Irrigation System of DVC and
Hanumanta Projects. The
potential creation target
under AIBP for the state of
West Bengal is 405.0740
th.ha. During the year 2007-
08 the potential of 39.60 th
ha has been created and up
to March 2008 the total
cumulative potential of
90.9390 th ha has been
107
created in the state. 32 minor
irrigation schemes have
been included in AIBP in
West Bengal upto October,
2009.
Under the scheme of
National projects, 90% grant
assistance of the eligible
project cost is to be provided
by the Government of India.
Teesta Barrage project of
West Bengal is already
approved projects and were
being provided with central
108
assistance under AIBP. The
State Govt .informed that
there has been delay in the
progress of the AIBP
programme .This was
mainly due to delay in land
acquisition for dam and
canal system; delay in
completion of resettlement
and rehabilitation work of
project affected persons
;escalation in cost of
construction material as well
as labour ; unsatisfactory
infrastructure of States for
109
execution of projects ; Lack
of contract management
skills and litigations and
increased project cost due to
payment of NPV of forest
land acquired.
During the discussions it
was informed that the State
Govt. has 53 minor irrigation
schemes in districts of
Dakshin Dinajpur, Bankura
and Purulia of West Bengal.
Thus the proposal out of 53
minor irrigation schemes
110
under AIBP which was send
to Ministry of Water
Resources, 19 minor
irrigation schemes were not
eligible for inclusion under
AIBP during 2009-10. The
rest of 34 of the minor
irrigation projects that are
benefiting DPAP areas are
eligible for inclusion under
AIBP 2009-10 and the State
Govt. was requested to
submit a DPR for these
projects. The State
Government informed that
111
the remaining 19 schemes
which are falling in the tribal
areas are not being included
by the Ministry of Water
Resources under AIBP
enable the State
Government to avail the 90
% grant for these projects. It
was requested that the State
Govt. to send a detailed
report to the Planning
Commission so that a
decision in consultation with
the Ministry of Water
resources and Ministry of
112
Tribal Affairs could be taken
to include these areas under
AIBP assistance under 90 %
grant pattern. The State Govt
also requested for the
relaxation of the norms
under the programme so that
Naxal affected zones can
also be included under AIBP
assistance under 90 % grant
pattern.
11. Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM)
113
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 1144. 1024.00 89.51
8- 00
09
200 1633. 312.54 19.14
9- 00
10
*
•Up to August 2009
114
The Government of India
has launched the JNNURM
in December, 2005 to bring
about improvement in the
existing service levels in a
financially sustainable
manner. It has two Sub-
Missions- (a) the Urban
Infrastructure and
Governance, (b) the Basic
Services for the Urban Poor.
These two sub-mission are
meant for Mission Cities in
the State – Kolkata
Metropolitan Area covering
115
41 ULBs and Asansol Urban
Area covering 5 ULBs. This
part of the programme is
implemented through Urban
Development Department.
It was informed that one
project under UIG regarding
Integration of Maheshtala
Underground Reservoir with
existing supply system was
completed in Kolkata and
two projects, namely, 7 MGD
Water Treatment Plant and
Distribution Network for
Durgapur and 22.73 MLD
116
Water Supply Project in
Jamuria were completed in
Asansol. Four projects in
Kolkata and one in Asansol
are likely to be completed by
March 2010. It was also
informed that 4 projects
which were sanctioned many
years ago have now been
started. It was also informed
that DPRs under appraisal
would be got sanctioned so
that ACA allocated for the
State is committed during the
current financial year. Under
117
Sub Mission of BSUP, 77
projects under Kolkata and
13 projects under Asansol
were sanctioned. So far
19071 houses were
completed out of sanctioned
dwelling units of 1,40,113.
19640 houses are under
construction.
State Govt. has also
requested that entire burden
of cost escalation should not
be borne by them. It needs
to be shared. In case of deep
sewer network for Kolkata,
118
the DPRs approved were
revised in view of utilizing the
latest technology on the
basis of international
competitive bidding which
resulted in escalation of the
cost. This needs to be
considered and a fresh
proposal need to be
accepted on the basis of
tendered cost.
The remaining ULBs (80
no.) are covered under two
schemes viz (a) Urban
Infrastructure Development
119
for Small and Medium Towns
(UIDSSMT) and (b)
Integrated Housing and Slum
Development Programme
(IHSDP). These two are
under the Administrative
control of Municipal Affairs
Department.
a) Urban Infrastructure
Development Scheme for
Small and Medium Towns
UIDSSMT):
This scheme caters to
the infrastructure
development for Small and
120
Medium Towns. Up to
September, 2009, 34
projects have approved by
SLSC out of which 26
projects have received
funds, remaining 8 projects
are yet to receive funds due
to insufficient allocation
under the scheme. The total
approved project cost is Rs
385.65 crore out of which Rs
133.24 crore has been
utilized upto October, 2009
(i.e 43% of the total work has
been completed).The total
121
allocation (ACA)) under
UIDSSMT is Rs 315.25 crore
and total allocation covered
is Rs 308.52 crore at a cost
of Rs. 421.40 crore. It was
also suggested by the State
Govt. that QPR under
UIDSSMT is a cumbersome
document which needs to be
revised so that ULBs are
able to fill up easily.
b) Integrated Housing and
Slum Development
Programme (IHSDP):
122
This scheme provides
for construction of houses for
slum dwellers and
provisioning of necessary
infrastructures in the
identified slums to improve
the living environment. The
infrastructure work includes
improvement of roads,
provisioning of water supply,
drainage facilities, street
lighting and other community
facilities like construction of
community toilets,
community shelters,
123
development of open space
etc. Upto March, 2009, 94
projects have been
sanctioned for all 80 Non-
Mission Urban Local Bodies
involving Rs. 925.85 crore.
This involves construction of
52591 no. of houses for slum
dwellers and requisite
infrastructure facilities in the
slums. Upto March 2009, the
approved project cost for
dwelling units is Rs 499.54
crore. The approved project
cost for infrastructural
124
development is Rs 426.31
crore. The original central
allocation was Rs 271.51
crore which has been
enhanced to Rs 681.04
crore. Total amount of ACA
received was Rs 392.50
crore. The amount of
expenditure incurred is Rs
175.52 crore. The works
are being executed by the
Urban Local Bodies directly
with the technical support by
the Municipal Engineering
Directorate.
125
During the field visit at
Krishnanagar Municipality,
the houses constructed for
BPL under IHSDP has been
inspected. The quality of
construction was
satisfactory. The
beneficiaries informed that
they have paid Rs 20000 as
their contribution by taking
loan or from their own
resources. For loan
advances, Krishnanagar
Municipality has become a
guarantor and they have not
126
faced any problem in raising
the loan from the bank.
It was informed that in the
absence of allocation of
ACA, no fresh projects could
be sanctioned in the year
2009-10 so far.
The State Govt.
requested that compared to
UIG allocation of Rs 3118
crore , allocation for
UIDSSMT is around 10%
( Rs 315.25 crore) posing
financial constraints in
sanctioning additional
127
projects. Enhancement of
Central Allocation under
UIDSSMT be done so as to
cover all ULBs with at least
water Supply projects. or
reallocation from UIG to
UIDSSMT of Rs 500 crore
for 8 projects approved in
SLSC amounting to Rs
194.27 crore and escalation
of price of Rs 105.92 crore .
DPR has been prepared for
6 uncovered towns
estimating at Rs 202 crore.
The State has requested for
128
inclusion of Haldia and
Siliguri planning area within
mission cities.
The State Govt. was of the
view that comprehensive
water supply scheme for all
towns be approved under
UIDSSMT. They also
requested that for release of
Second and subsequent
instalments, the power
should be delegated to them.
State government officers
informed that in few cases of
reforms, it would be difficult
129
to implement due to
ideological problem of ruling
party (repeal of Urban Land
Ceiling Act) and as regards,
O& M charges under
UIDSSMT/UIG is concerned
newly elected ULBs against
the raising Water Rates
(User Charges) as it was in
their manifesto and they
think that providing safe
drinking water is
responsibility of the State
whether full recovery of O&
M charges are possible or
130
not. They also requested that
certain reforms be made
optional such as O&M of
water supply projects, and
solid waste management
12. Accelerated Power
Development and Reforms
Programme.
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
131
ture
200 37.60 86.32 229.57
8-
09
200 37.60 16.01 42.58
9-
10
*
* Up to August 2009
Restructured Accelerated
Power Development and
Reforms Programme
(APDRP) for Eleventh Five
Year Plan was approved on
31.07.09. The focus of the
132
programme is on actual,
demonstrable performance
in terms of AT&C loss
reduction. Projects under the
scheme are to be taken up in
two parts. Part-A is the
projects for establishment of
baseline data and IT
applications for energy
accounting/auditing & IT
based consumer service
centres and Part-B is regular
distribution strengthening
projects.
133
Base-line Data System
under Part-A covers
consumer indexing, GIS
mapping/asset mapping of
the entire distribution
network, metering (AMR) of
distribution transformers &
feeders ,automatic data
logging for all distribution
transformers and feeders
and SCADA/DMS system for
big cities only. Base-line data
system would leverage the
scalable modular approach
to augment the drivers in
134
distribution business for
revenue management, loss
reduction support, demand
supply management while
improving the reliability and
quality of supply.
Part- A and Part- B
projects can be implemented
simultaneously with a gap of
three to six months which is
needed to establish the
baseline figure of AT&C loss
of the project area by
installing boundary
(import/export) energy
135
meters and collections
revenues data for three
billing cycle. State Power
Utilities have started the
activities of ring fencing the
project areas by installation
of boundary (import/export)
energy meters. Only after
establishment of base line
AT&C loss is completed, the
Part B projects under R-
APDRP would be taken up
for implementation.
In case of West Bengal,
the number of project
136
sanctioned is 62 at the cost
of Rs 159.98 crore. An
amount of Rs 47.99 crore
has been released as loan
for the projects under Part A
of R-APDRP.
The State is facing
problems in the availability of
equipments under APDRP
since the manufacturers are
overburdened to supply
these to different Power
Utilities simultaneously for
APDRP works. The State is
also facing acute problem in
137
acquisition of lands for 33/11
KV new substations.
13 Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana
Rajiv Gandhi Grameen
Vidyutikaran Yojana
(RGGVY), a scheme of Rural
Electricity Infrastructure was
launched by Govt. of India in
March, 2005, provides 90%
capital subsidy for the
projects. Rs. 5000 crore
outlay was provided as
capital subsidy for the last
two years of the Tenth Plan.
138
Government of India
approved the continuation of
RGGVY in the Eleventh Plan
for attaining the goal of
providing access to
electricity to all households,
electrification of about 1.15
lakh un-electrified villages
and electricity connections to
2.34 crore BPL households
by 2009. The approval has
been accorded for capital
subsidy of Rs.28,000 crore
during the Eleventh Plan
period. Rural Electrification
139
Corporation (REC) would be
the nodal agency for the
scheme. 90 % capital
subsidy would be provided
towards overall cost of the
projects under the scheme,
excluding the amount of
state or local taxes, which
will be borne by the
concerned State/ State
Utility. The balance 10% of
the project cost would be
contributed by states through
own resources/loan from
financial institution.
140
West Bengal has been the
major beneficiary under this
scheme. About 22% rural
household have been
electrified as on September,
2009. The task of
electrification of villages
under RGGVY has been
completed in 86%. About
8.9% of the total cost has
been sanctioned under
RGGVY and 48.3% of the
project sanctioned cost has
been disbursed whereas the
physical achievement so far
141
is merely 7%for BPL
household electrification.
Against an amount of Rs
43.18 crore that has been
released upto October, 2009,
the expenditure incurred is
Rs 44.31 crore which is
102.62% of the total amount
released.
The team was informed
that under the programme,
the State could not perform
well in the past. There was a
delay in the implementation
of the programme due to the
142
law order situation in
Darjeeling and also due to
Lok Sabha Elections. Now
The State Govt. is gearing
up to meet the target in time.
It was also informed that five
districts are to be covered
under NTPC, NHPC and
Power Grid and remaining
14 by the WBSEDCL. In
case of district covered by
Power Grid, the delay was
due to award of contract to
MAYTAS. The State has set
up a three-tier monitoring
143
system to achieve this target.
Under this three-tier
monitoring system. A project
manager has been recruited
at district level, a district level
monitoring committee
including a MP& MLA and
member. A monthly review is
being conducted at the State
level. WBSEDCL has
adopted GPS survey instead
of Conventional survey. In
this method latitude and
longitude of the proposed
144
poles, DTRs are being
captured by GPS machine.
14. National Horticulture
Mission
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under:
(Rs crore)
Ye Outl Rele Expend Unsp
ar ay ase iture ent
bala
nce
20 47. 6.82 25.01 58.0
08- 65 3
145
09
20 36. 7.35 28.5
09- 27 8
10
*
The Annual Action Plan of
SHM, West Bengal for 2009-
10 has been approved for Rs.
42.67 crore including GOI
share of Rs. 36.27 crore. A
sum of Rs. 28.58 crore as
unspent balance is available
with the State Horticulture
Mission. Under the Mission,
during 2005-06 to 2008-09,
146
an additional area of 24013
ha has been brought under
cultivation of various
horticulture crops. Besides
establishment of 95 nurseries
for production of quality
planting material, an area of
3493 ha. of senile orchards
has been rejuvenated,
organic farming was adopted
in an area of 4638 ha 1481
numbers of vermi-compost
units were established, IPM
practices adopted in an area
of 15551 ha. 9 IPM/INM
147
infrastructure facilities were
created such as leaf / tissue
analysis labs, bio-control
labs, disease forecasting
units and plant health clinics.
56 community water
harvesting structures created
and 24414 bee colonies with
hives were distributed. Under
the component of Post
Harvest Management, 9 units
(1 pack house, 6 cold
storages and 2 refrigerated
vans) have been established.
Apart from this, 3 functional
148
infrastructures for collection,
grading etc. have been set
up.
The cost norm for most of
the components is old. The
poor off take of PHM projects
has been due to lower cost
norms and assistance. The
staff at field level for
implementation of large
scale horticultural
development under NHM is
inadequate.
The State has been
149
requested to ensure holistic
development of horticulture
by adopting cluster approach
and convergence of
schemes of other
Departments. The proposals
for upward revision of the
cost norms and assistance
for post harvest
management components
are under consideration. It is
expected that with the
enhanced cost norms and
assistance, more projects
from the private sector will
150
be received under the PHM
components.
15. National Social
Assistance Programme
(NSAP)
The financial performances
of the programme are as
under
(Rs crore)
Ye Allocat Expendi % of
ar ion ture expendi
ture
200 491.2 491.20 100
8- 0
151
09
200 692.0 440.53 63.66
9- 0
10
*
* Up to August 2009
The National old age
pension scheme is the most
important component of
NSAP. There were 474,106
numbers of beneficiaries at
the beginning of eleventh
five year plan. From
November 2007 the scheme
was restructured to give
152
pension to BPL persons with
age more than 65 or more as
an entitlement. That has
resulted in increase in the
number of pensioners to
821,033 by the end of the
year 2008-09, which has
further increased to 10,
33,587 at the end of
September 09. The number
of families is likely to
increase by 14 lakh on
account of inclusion of some
more families under BPL
category, which is an
153
ongoing process right now
as well as increase in life
expectancy. Two more
pension schemes for BPL
persons have been launched
one for the widows for the
age group of 40-64 and other
with 80% disability and in the
month of February 09. By the
end of September 09 as
many as 123419 numbers of
widows and 4880 number of
disabled persons have been
identified and disbursement
of pension to them is
154
expected to be started from
the month of October, 2009.
The remaining beneficiaries
are likely to be identified by
the month of December’09.
In respect many of them do
not have certificate for which
special drives has been
initiated and it may be
possible to identify all eligible
beneficiaries, who don not
have certificates now, by the
month of March 2009. Total
numbers of widowers for
pension scheme is likely to
155
be 3.5 lakh and that of the
disabled person to be around
fifty thousand.
One difficulty that is being
faced is delay in opening
accounts in banks and post
offices for payment of
pension. At the end of
September around 55% of
the beneficiaries are being
paid their pension through
banks or post offices and
accounts are required to be
opened for remaining
beneficiaries for which banks
156
and post offices have been
approached.
It was informed that there
are questions about
correctness of the BPL list.
The implementing agencies
face a problem on this issue
at the time of implementation
so BPL list should not be the
only criteria of selection of
beneficiary. A fresh survey/
BPL Census is needed.
During the field visit the team
was informed that Rs.35,000
per IAY house is not
157
sufficient at the present price
.The cost should be
escalated suitable. A Govt.
approved model for IAY
house may be framed which
may help as a standard type
of construction.
The Panchayat & Rural
Development Department of
Govt. of West Bengal has
developed ORACLE based
software designated as
SEBA for the purpose of
records of IGNOAPS,
IGNWPS and IGNDPS
158
beneficiaries and
disbursement of pension.
The software is able to
generate bank-branch wise
advises to Branch manager/
Post Managers for
disbursement by crediting
into the accounts of the
beneficiaries. The list of
IGNOAPS beneficiaries is
already uploaded in the
department website. The list
of IGNWPS and IGNDPS will
also be uploaded after the
159
completion of entry, in SEBA
software.
It was informed that there
is no effective provision for
sending pension at home for
infirm beneficiaries.
Arrangement for
administrative cost is
required in order to meet the
cost of money order for such
beneficiaries. There are no
arrangements for life time
certificates. Half-yearly life
certificate system and
organization of camp for
160
issuing such certificate is
required. The Gram
Panchayat level officials may
be empowered to issue such
certificate. We have verified
distribution of Widow
Pension and National Old
Age Pension during field visit
in Nadia district and checked
the passbooks also. Pradhan
of Grampunchayat and other
beneficiary demanded that
Old Age pension should start
on completion of age of 60
years.
161
(Harish Chandra)
Adviser(SP-WB)
162
