Transformation: Kuther Panchayat Shows The Way

Rajiv K. Phull      ( cover story )

Money is no constraints for developmental activities if one has the vision. And this has amply been proved by Kuther panchayat in Nagrota Surian block of Jawali sub division in Kangra district as it has developed by leaps and bounds in almost every sector. One can see the transformation made by the panchayat; be it in rural and infrastructure development, environment conservation or implementation of state and central schemes for the betterment of life of people living in the panchayat. And such efforts have also not gone unnoticed both at the state and Central level as the panchayat has won many awards.

Vikas Mein Jan Sahyog

Kuther panchayat has fully utilised Vikas Mein Jan Sahyog scheme for ushering in development in seven wards inhabited by nearly 2700 persons in 663 households. The village has 167 families living below poverty line as per 2007 survey.

* 250 households constructed toilets

* Every house is connected with pucca village path

* Added 27 pucca rooms in senior secondary school and nine pucca rooms in two primary schools

* 26 hand pumps energised under Swajaldhara scheme

* Rs. 20 lakh sanctioned for installation of solid waste management plant

* Facilities being added to unde construction crematorium with Rs. 6.92 lakh

* 10 check dams constructed that helps in soil conservation besides recharging natural water resources

* 200 water tanks constructed under MNREGA

* Herbal and medicinal plants on 60 hectare landslide

* Grassland developed for fodder requirements

* Farmers shifting from traditional crops to vegetables and polyhouse culture

* Panchayat planning to install reflectors on all internal roads for easy movement by pedestrians

Transformed in 16 Years

Kuther panchayat’s development journey began in 2001 as it has been transformed from a backward panchayat to the most developed panchayat in Himachal. Significantly members of a single family have remained pradhan and up pradhan of Kuther panchayat since 1945 barring a short time in between. And it is largely due to their efforts and vision that it is shining at the national level. It has  set an example in infrastructure development, rural development, environment conservation and implementation of all schemes of the state and centre government. A visit to the Kuther panchayat reveals that developmental activities have been well planned and implemented by the representatives. This panchayat stood at 5th place among 20 gram panchayats selected from all over the country for the national-level Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Award-2107 after appraisal of its performance during 2015-16. The award was presented during a function held at Lucknow on April 24, 2017. It also received National MGNREGA Award on June 19 for effectively implementing the scheme in the village. The panchayat stood at 3rd place among 12 top panchayats selected from the country for MNREGA implementation programme.

* Stood 5th among 20 top panchayats selected for Nanaji Desh Mukh rashtriya Gourv Gram Sabha Puraskar in the country

* Stood 3rd among 12 top panchayats selected for MNREGA implementation award in the country

“Will Make It Best In Country’

Himachal This Week also talked to Kuther panchayat Up-pradhan Sushil Sharma to know the reason behind excellent developmental journey that has won accolades at the national level also. Following are the excerpts:

HTW: What is the secret behind excellent progress of the panchayat?

Sushil Sharma: When I decided to contest panchayat election, I had some plans for the area. I was selected Up-pradhan in 1995 but it was after 2001 when developmental journey began as I became pradhan. Then I started implementing various schemes and got assistance from all quarters in implementation of state and central schemes in the area.

HTW: Did you face any financial constraints for developmental schemes?

Sushil Sharma: Money is never a constraint in implementing developmental activities if one has a vision and plan to undertake it. There are numerous state and Centre funded schemes available for all round development of rural areas. It is only a matter of pursuing such resources earnestly and everything falls in place. It ultimately helps in development of the area and prosperity of people.

HTW: What future do you have for further development of the panchayat?

Sushil Sharma: My aim is to make Kuther panchayat best in the country by making use of funds available under state and central schemes for the benefit of people here

* My aim is to make the area best in the country by using state and central schemes for the benefit of people

-Sushil Shrma Up-pradhan, Kuther Panchayat

Villagers Feel…

* People residing in all wards enjoy all basic facilities due to efforts put in by elected representatives  of the panchayat

-Vandana Devi, Housewife, Kuther

* The panchayat has undertaken numerous developmental activities for the welfare of poor people whose quality of life has improved tremendously

-Pushotam Singh, Farmer, Kuther

Exemplary Achievements

This panchayat took the lead in getting declared open defecation free (ODF) in Kangra district. As a result, it became eligible for special development fund of Rs 5 lakh announced by Kangra MP Shanta Kumar. Swachh Bharat Mission has been successfully launched by the panchayat as the area presents a neat and clean look.

29 Pucca Rooms In School

The panchayat has three schools; two government primary schools and one government senior secondary school. The senior secondary school which had two pucca rooms earlier has 29 pucca rooms now, thanks to the construction activities undertaken by panchayat through Vikas Mein Jan sahyog schemes. Three schools have separate  toilets for girls and boys.

137 Solar Lights in Panchayat

Fulfilling all yardsticks under the Swachh Bharat programme, the panchayat has installed 137 solar streetlights in different wards of the panchayat. In addition, 245 more solar lights have also been sanctioned for installation. The panchayat has also built a crematorium under government’s Vikas Mein Jan Sahyog scheme.

National MGNREGA Award

The Kuther gram panchayat in Nagrota Surian received the National MGNREGA Award on June 19 for effectively implementing the scheme in the village. With active participation of women in MGNREGA scheme, the village has played important role in water storage by setting up many water tanks.

भारत मैट्रीमोनी पर अपना सही संगी चुनें – निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !

 

Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘Divya Himachal TV’. Also,  Download our Android App