The Hindu Business Line : YSR calls for holistic rural development

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, addressing the collectors' conference in Hyderabad on Monday. The Chief Secretary, Mr T.K. Dewan, the Director General of Police, Mr Swaranjit Sen, and the Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, are seen. - H. Satish

Hyderabad , Jan. 30

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy, on Monday called for better fiscal management and a holistic development to make major projects such as Jalayagnam, Indiramma, and the to-be launched national rural employment guarantee scheme a success.

Speaking at the two-day district collectors' conference here on Monday, the Chief Minister said, "It is heartening to note that yet another major project that seeks to bring about change in the rural parts of the country is being launched at Anantapur district by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and the Chairperson of UPA, Ms Sonia Gandhi, on February 2."

Citing some of the success stories of the Government in the overall farm sector management, Dr Reddy said, "District collectors play a strategic role in ensuring that most of the development schemes are properly implemented and their performance deserve praise."

The National Rural Employee Guarantee Scheme, which seeks to ensure 100 working days of employment to people in the rural areas, would initially be implemented in 13 districts of the State and within 2-3 years expanded to the other uncovered districts, he said.

In a plain speak to DCs, Dr Reddy said experience shows that some of the schemes like the Food for Work programme, yet another ambitious rural employment guarantee scheme, was not properly implemented, bringing in criticism from various sections of society.

The overall agricultural output has gone up in 2005 and a more focussed approach to bring in efficiency would help the farming community.

The Systematic Rice Intensification programme seeks to bring higher yields in paddy cultivation areas.

As a part of this farm initiative, demonstration plots have been identified in 13,000 villages and these help farmers to get best prices and improve the overall yield.

He advocated that kanuga (jatropha) plantation be taken up extensively bringing more areas under cultivation.

Free power: The Chief Minister said, "There is a need to bring in fiscal discipline. It is not possible to provide free service without proper audit. Therefore, if we use the available resources appropriately, we would be in a position to reach out to more beneficiaries."

From March 2006, the Chief Minister said, farmers who implement capacitors and deploy frictionless foot-valves, which could potentially mean an investment of Rs 500, would be entitled to seven hours of free power supply.