CM to hold first meeting of CSRDA on 18th

Raipur, June 12, 2012

Chief Minister Raman Singh will convene first meeting of Chhattisgarh State Rural Development Authority at Dagania-based Vidyut Sewa Bhawan on June 18.

In the meeting, the primary factors for radical development of rural areas would be fixed. Besides, discussion would be held on procedures to approve and implement new works and maintenance of the existing infrastructures under CSRDA.

The objectives of the authority are to directly link local public representatives in development works of rural pockets, conception of short-term projects by taking inputs from regional leadership, approval of small but radical works and to upgrade facilities in villages equal to towns.

Earlier, the government decided to constitute CSRDA after the decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by the CM on January 21, 2012. The formal announcement of formation of CSRDA was done by Panchayat and Rural Development Department on February 7, 2012. The CM has been made the chairman of the authority.

The members of CSRDA are all the state ministers, MPs and MLAs whose constituencies fall under the jurisdiction of the authority, zila panchayat presidents of relevant districts, Chief Secretary and Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development Department. Secretary to the CM will be the member secretary of the authority. The CSRDA meeting will be held at least thrice in a year.

Presently, 60 development blocks have been included in CSRDA. These blocks do not come under the gamut of Sarguja & Northern Region and Bastar and Southern Region Tribal Development Authority.

The authority will have right to issue directives and guidelines to the relevant departments regarding implementation of its projects. The relevant department would in turn include the CSRDA projects in their respective budgets and allocate funds for development works.

The authority will also be authorised to take decision on allocation of untied funds to specific sectors. The state government will provide Rs 50 crore to CSRDA annually and the authority will use it to fulfill its objectives. The authority will also frame rules to utilise its funds. The Collectors will follow the directives of the authority through CEOs of zila panchayats. The Collectors will also conduct monthly review of the CSRDA works.

The Collectors would further be responsible to rope in internal and external agencies to do valuation and inspection of approved works of the authority. For this, they will constitute inspection teams and regularly send quarterly report of valuation and inspection of the works to Director Panchayat and authority cell.