The Hindu             19.06.2013

Planning Commission pulls up Gujarat on social sector front

The Planning Commission on Tuesday approved Gujarat’s plan size of Rs. 59,000 crore for 2013-14. Narendra Modi, Gujarat Chief Minister, reiterated his consistent efforts towards inclusive development in an attempt to dismiss the lack of social sector development in the State. According to Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Central plan assistance to the State includes Rs. 10,000 crore under the Centrally sponsored schemes and Rs. 4,000 crore as direct aid.

“Gujarat is one of our better performing States. In terms of economic growth, we have noted that the performance has been good in Gujarat. The State has raised a number of issues on which the Central government should act; like slow decision making, faster action for better development,” said Mr. Ahluwalia.

However, Mr. Ahluwalia pulled up the State for its performance on social indicators, saying: “[There was]… a lot of discussion on the social sector. I think generally it has been our view that Gujarat needs, in order to bring its social sector performance up to the economic size, to have some special attention to this area.”

Mr. Modi was here on his first trip after being elevated as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election campaign head. The approved plan expenditure of Rs. 59,000 crore is nearly 16 per cent more than the outlay for 2012-13.

Members present at the meeting expressed concern over various poor social indicators prevailing in Gujarat including child sex ratio, infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition.

Mr. Modi was quick to defend his State’s performance, pointing out that Gujarat spends 42 per cent of its budget on the social sector. He shot back with the motto “ Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas ” (Everyone’s support, everyone’s development).

At the meeting, he showed a film highlighting the achievements of Gujarat’s inclusive growth in several schemes and sectors.

“The funds would help upliftment of all sections of the society, including scheduled caste, down trodden, exploited and tribal. We want to have all the sections to get the benefits of growth,” Mr. Modi added.

While the Planning Commission’s members acknowledged improvements regarding social indicators according to the 2001-11 census, they maintained that sections of Gujarat have not reaped the benefits of this growth model. Additionally, the State must inspire to be like other fast growing States that have managed to enjoy inclusive growth.

“This is not good enough for a State growing so fast. Gujarat has the resources to be at par with States like Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra,” member Planning Commission Sayeda Hameed told The Hindu .

Mr. Modi once again emphasised that “Gujarat has played a crucial and big role in development of India. In terms of contribution and GDP, we are among the highest contributors,” he said.

Mr. Modi expressed concern over the Centre not allowing enough flexibility with State funds. He suggested less control and conditionally over funds received. He was in agreement of the B.K. Chaturvedi committee on restructuring the schemes.

The Indian Express                 16.04.2013

Ahead of monsoon, South corpn budgets for 1,350 breeding checkers

Stepping up preparations for the upcoming monsoon season, South Municipal Corporation has decided to create 1,350 temporary posts for domestic breeding checkers (DBC), who will be employed on a contract basis for the next year.

The corporation said the presence of DBCs was important to check the breeding of mosquitoes and spread of diseases like dengue, and haemorrhage fever in the city.

But, despite the need for the domestic breeding checkers every year, the corporation has not made their posts permanent.

DBCs are semi-skilled, non-supervisory, technical staff with matriculate qualifications. They will be paid fixed salary according to the rates set by the corporation's Labour department.

"From time to time, DBCs have been pressing for the regularisation of their posts and have also filed several court cases. But, there is no sanctioned post for them or sufficient budget to regularise their posts and engage them throughout the year," Commissioner of South corporation Manish Gupta said.

"The Commissioner has recommended the creation of temporary posts of the DBCs, at a budget of approximately Rs 11.9 crore and monthly salary of Rs 7,356," a corporation official said.

Highlighting the need for DBCs, Health department officials said that Aedes mosquito, the principal vector for the transmission of dengue in Delhi, dominantly breeds in domestic and peri-domestic areas.

Hence, domestic breeding checkers were required to help to control mosquito breeding in and around residential dwellings.

"Activity of DBCs is not covered under the national vector-borne disease control programme. However, given the potential danger that domestic breeding of the Aedes mosquito presents, checking it is one of the most important preventive measures adopted by the corporation," a South corporation official said.

The decision to continue to employ the DBC last year was taken on the advice of the Health Minister of Delhi and experts from various institutes. North corporation had 1140 DBCs, East had 710 and South had 1,350.