Kapurthala, April 25: Fifteen village haats constructed in five districts during 2011 to 2015 by spending Rs 1.99 crore have been awaiting artisans as none of them is functional.
These haats were constructed to boost the sale of rural products and increase the income of rural artisans.
In Kapurthala district, prominent panchayat land was provided and three village haats in Sidhwan Dona, Ibrahimwal and Talwandi Chaudharian were constructed in March 2013. Besides, another three in Muktsar, Rupnagar, Sangrur and Tarn Taran district each were constructed. Huge amount was spent on laying of inaugural stones and opening ceremonies, but even after a lapse of three to seven years, not even a single village haat is operational.
In 2009, the Union Ministry of Rural Development had decided to set up village haats for promotion of rural products at village, district and state levels under the Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY).
According to the guidelines, the funds were to be released for the setting up of haats and Rs 15 lakh each was shared between the Centre and state in the ratio of 75:25.
However, the money spent on the construction of haats has gone waste as no activity has been performed till date.
Besides, Rural Haat Management committees, which were to be responsible for management, maintenance and allotment of haats, have also not been formed.
One of the officials of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department in Kapurthala said Sidhwan Dona village haat had been constructed at low level, which results in accumulation of water during monsoon.
Joint Development Commissioner, Integrated Rural Development, Tanu Kashyap says, “The haats that already exist will be made functional this year. This is the focus area under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.”
“Self-help groups (SHG) will be formed and they will be linked to haats so that they are able to display their products in these haats on daily basis. Besides, there is a plan to construct more rural haats under MGNREGA. Around 80 more locations have been identified in the state and proposal has been sent to the Ministry of Rural Development,” the Joint Director added.
Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com
