The Hindu : Rural jobs scheme will be reviewed: Jaswant

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Aug 17, 2002

National

National

Rural jobs scheme will be reviewed: Jaswant

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI AUG. 16. The Union Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, has said that a comprehensive assessment of the drought situation in the country would be undertaken in a couple of days. He also said that the exact impact of the deficient monsoon on the gross domestic product (GDP) would be known only by the end of October.

Addressing the Consultative Committee of Parliament attached to his Ministry, Mr. Singh, however, said that rural employment schemes would be looked into afresh to meet the new challenge and the people's share of 10 per cent contribution for the creation of rural infrastructure would not be insisted upon in the regions where monsoon had been deficient.

According to an official report, Mr. Singh also endorsed the member's view to consider writing off bank dues of small farmers in areas which have faced successive natural calamities for the past three-four years.

He assured rectification of alleged anomaly in granting of loans to industry vis-a-vis the agriculture sector.

The Minister emphasised that no politics was involved in providing relief to the States affected by natural calamities and pointed out that special assistance had already been given`` to Assam and Maharashtra to deal with floods.

In their observations, most of the members of Parliament constituting the Consultative Committee stressed on the need for a long-term comprehensive policy to deal with natural calamities.

It was felt that rural employment, drinking water facilities and supply of foodgrains to the affected regions should be accorded special priority.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National