Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have done exceedingly well in socio-economic uplift programmes under the 20-point programme of the Centre, with number 1 and 3 ranking, respectively, says a latest review report received from the Centre.
The report, compiled till January 2009, says Himachal had topped the chart in 13 of the total 18 parameters in the country in the implementation of socio-economic programmes. The 20-point programme gives a thrust on poverty alleviation, employment generation, housing, education, health and other social indices. The hill state’s achievement is significant, as out of the 18 set parameters, the state has got 100% marks in 13 parameters.
The deputy chairman of the high-powered committee overseeing the 20-point programme in Haryana observed at a meeting that the state has achieved upwards of 90% of the target set in the areas of assisting individuals for employment, operational blocks under Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, functional anganwadi kendras, area covered under plantation, roads constructed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana and number of pump sets energised.
Similarly, Haryana has improved its performance under schemes relating to the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, social security, minimum wages to labourers, provision of houses for the poor, welfare of women and children, Indira Awas Yojana and accelerated urban and rural water supply schemes.
However, it is Himachal Pradesh which has outperformed all other states in self-employment schemes like Swaranjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna, where it has provided self-employment to 7,157 individuals. This is over 495% above the target, which was to cover 1,446 individuals. Under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, 7,91,847 job cards have been issued and 1.19 crore mandays generated. About Rs 138.31 crore had been spent under the scheme for providing gainful employment.
Likewise, under the self-help group formation, Himachal Pradesh has over-achieved its target at 101% by forming 531 SHGs against a target of 524. Similarly, the achievement of the state in settling cases under minimum wages enforcement has remained above 450%.
Food security, quality control, checking of inflationary trends, generation of consumer awareness etc are the other areas which were a priority with the hill state.
The Himachal Pradesh government has strengthened its public distribution system (PDS) too and has achieved 100% results. Under the Antyodaya Ann Yojna, 71,878 tonnes of food grain had been distributed against a target of 68,950 tonnes, which translates into an achievement of 104%.
To ensure houses under the rural housing scheme, 3,414 houses have been constructed against a target of 2,968 under the Indira Awas Yojna during the period.
Again, the achievement of the state is 115%. About 4,084 habitations have been provided safe drinking water against a target of 3,801 fixed for the period ? an achievement of 107%.
Under the rural cleanliness programme, 2,72,152 houses had been covered in the state till January.
Under the total sanitation campaign, 265 panchayats in the state have been awarded with the National Nirmal Puraskar by the President of India.
Under the afforestation programme, 17.014 hectares have been brought under plantation against a target of 16,660 hectares under government and private land. About 1,008 crore saplings were planted — an achievement of 102%.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, 1,118 km of new roads have been constructed against a target of 1,106 km, resulting in an achievement of 101%. Incidentally Himachal Pradesh is the first state in the country to achieve 100% electrification in all its villages.