One of the major reasons for the success of BJP and PM Modi is the last mile delivery of the welfare schemes. With welfare schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) – Grameen (PMAY-G) and Urban, Ujjawala Yojana, Direct benefit transfer (DBT), it has been able to empower the poor and vulnerable sections of society. These empowered communities have translated into votes for the saffron party, BJP.
This is why; PM Modi keeps a microscopic view on the last mile delivery of these schemes. Any lapses are dealt strictly and there is no scope for incompetence or political hurdles. Apparently, it seems that this time, the ‘lapses’ of the Chhattisgarh government have been caught by the Central government. It has issued a clear warning for the Congress-led government, failing which it will be penalised for its incompetence.
Centre raises the red flag for Chhattisgarh government
The Centre has given a clear warning to the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh. It has categorically said that if the Baghel administration is “unable” to implement the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G), the Centre will reconsider its support to other schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) and Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission.
Also Read: Congress to have another Scindia moment in Chhattisgarh
According to the Indian Express, the Rural Development Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha wrote a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain.
In this letter, Secretary Nagendra Nath clearly conveyed this warning to the state government. This warning came in response to the failures of the Chhattisgarh government in releasing funds for the housing scheme. This is not the first time that the Baghel administration failed to do so. Its track record hints that the state may have been wilfully not sanctioning the state’s share for the scheme.
According to news reports, Chhattisgarh is the only state where the PMAY-G scheme faced a problem in the last 3-4 years. It is to be noted that under this scheme, the Centre and states contribute in the ratio of 60:10.
Also Read: Is Bhupesh Baghel turning out to be the next Amarinder Singh for the Gandhis?
In the Financial Year 2021-22, the Centre had set a construction target of 7.8 lakhs houses under the PMAY-G for Chhattisgarh. However, the “unsatisfactory” performance of the Bhupesh Baghel government compelled the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to withdraw the target. The state government had failed to release the state’s share for the PMAY-G scheme which amounted to Rs 562 crores.
Also Read: Whoever wins between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo, it is the Chhattisgarh Congress that will lose
Similarly, in 2020-21, the Chhattisgarh government was given a target to build 6.4 lakhs houses. It performed badly and fell short by a whopping margin of 1.5 lakhs houses.
Even colleagues have pointed out this Gross failure
The Bhupesh Baghel government has failed miserably to deliver on its poll promises. During the election, it had promised the right to house in rural areas. But the state government is creating hurdles in this scheme. It is said that due to non-sanction of funds under the scheme, 8 lakhs people in the state are rendered homeless.
This gross mistake was pointed out by cabinet minister TS Singh Deo. He repeatedly informed the CM about this non-sanction of funds and problems faced by the poor of the state. This apathetic behaviour of the Baghel government forced him to resign from the Panchayat and Rural Development Ministry.
In his resignation letter, he said, “It is a matter of concern that not a single house could be built in the state under the present government and scheme’s progress remained nil. I feel sorry that the scheme’s benefits could not reach the homeless of the state”.
It is unfortunate to see that for political reasons, the poor in Chhattisgarh have to remain homeless. In the hatred for the Modi government, the opposition parties create hurdles in such welfare schemes as it may translate into votes for PM Modi and BJP. However, the latest warning by the Centre will put an end to this apathetic politics. This also gives hope of a better future where politics will be performance driven and funds will be released according to the progress of the welfare schemes. This will create more resources for those states that are performing great on the parameters.
Support TFI:
Support us to strengthen the ‘Right’ ideology of cultural nationalism by purchasing the best quality garments from TFI-STORE.COM
