Durg: The Chhattisgarh government has approved 1,495 works worth around ₹53.90 crore in Durg district under rural development and employment-related programmes.
Of the total allocation, ₹17.33 crore has been approved for 367 construction works, while ₹36.56 crore has been sanctioned for 1,128 works under the employment guarantee programme, according to the report.
The approved works include projects related to schools, anganwadi centres, girls’ toilets, water conservation, cremation-ground sheds, recharge of defunct borewells and roads connecting agricultural fields.
375 Types of Works Under the Scheme
Deputy Chief Minister and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Vijay Sharma reviewed the approved works and their implementation during a video conference with district panchayat representatives.
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Sharma said that 375 types of works can be undertaken under the VB-G RAM-G programme. He said works can be selected and approved according to the requirements of individual villages.
He also said that additional works based on local requirements can be proposed through the Gram Sabha.
Water Conservation and Village Infrastructure
During the meeting, Sharma directed officials and panchayat representatives to maintain a 60:40 ratio between labour and material expenditure.
He also emphasised that at least 30% of the works should be related to water conservation.
The works prioritised during the discussion included school-related construction, anganwadi facilities, girls’ toilets, cremation-ground sheds and recharge of defunct borewells.
Works such as farm roads and dharsa construction have also been included based on farmers’ requirements.
Quality Monitoring System Planned
Additional Chief Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department Richa Sharma stressed the need to maintain quality in the approved construction works.
She said that quality monitoring systems will be prepared soon to facilitate regular inspection of construction work.
Under the proposed monitoring mechanism, photographs of different stages of construction—from the foundation to finishing—will have to be uploaded through a geo-tagging application.
Officials at the block, district and state levels will conduct field inspections, while laboratory testing may also be undertaken where required.
District-Level Review
The video conference also covered the progress of sanctioned works, their implementation and difficulties being faced at the field level.
VB-G RAM-G Commissioner Taran Prakash Sinha addressed technical questions raised by district panchayat representatives during the meeting.
The approved works are spread across categories covering rural infrastructure, employment-related works, water conservation and facilities intended for direct use by villagers.
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