Priority for women participation and infrastructure progress: ZP CEO

HAVERI: Ruchi Bindal, Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat, announced that the district reached 42.4 lakh human days against a 46 lakh target under the MGNREGA scheme for 2024-25. During a press conference, she highlighted increased women's participation in MGNREGA and other initiatives. The district aims to prioritise women in various jobs, targeting 50-60 percent female employment. The administration plans to build NRLM sheds across approximately 175 gram panchayats to assist active women's federations, facilitating quick access to government schemes. "Childcare facilities established in 162 GPs look after 3,010 children, while their parents are involved in MGNREGA works," she claimed. The CEO reported that under the Swachh Bharat Mission, 12,048 beneficiaries built personal toilets against the previous year's target of 17,957 rural toilets. Additional construction proceeds based on requirements. Grey water management units are being set up in gram panchayats in collaboration with MGNREGA. "Of 223 panchayats, 303 units are functioning in 688 villages, with plans for the remaining villages underway," Ruchi shared. The IAS officer added that 223 village panchayats received Swachh Vahini vehicles for waste collection to maintain sanitation. Door-to-door collection continues alongside waste disposal awareness. Currently, 198 women from self-help groups received driver training. For 2024-25, Rs 35 crore community capital funding was allocated to 2,334 self-help groups under NRLM Sanjeevini.

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The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to provide rural housing, village-level publicity continues, with three surveyors per panchayat conducting assessments, Ruchi Bindal noted.