Jagran correspondent, Moradabad. Preparations have been going on for years to convert 96 gram panchayats of the district into model villages under the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, but the reality is that development in most of the panchayats is limited to papers only. The main objective of the scheme is to promote social harmony by strengthening basic facilities in Dalit dominated villages.
But due to lack of budget, this ambitious plan is not getting off the ground. Until the budget is released, ‘Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana’ remains another incomplete government announcement in the district. According to the Social Welfare Department, 44 gram panchayats of the district were selected for 'Pradhanmantri Adarsh Gram Yojana' between the financial year 2020 to 2022.
After this, 35 more panchayats were included in the scheme in 2022-23, but due to non-release of funds, no concrete development work could be started in these villages till date. 17 new Gram Panchayats have been selected in the current financial year 2025-26. In this way, a total of 96 panchayats have been included in the list of model villages, but it is not clear at any level as to when they will get the budget.
Under the scheme, there is a provision to give Rs 20-20 lakh to each selected Gram Panchayat. With this amount, basic works like road construction, drain system, drinking water supply, community buildings, toilets, street lights and cleanliness are to be done in the villages. Departmental officials claim that these works will improve the standard of living of Dalit dominated villages, but due to lack of budget, all these claims are proving to be hollow.
Villagers say that years ago their village was declared a model village, but even today the problems of unpaved roads, waterlogging, filth and drinking water remain the same. Panchayat representatives say that after the selection, neither any review is done nor any deadline is set at the departmental level. Officials also seem to be avoiding responsibility by citing the budget.
Interestingly, even in the current financial year, 17 new villages were selected, while the old selected villages are still waiting for even a single installment. Due to this, questions are being raised on the seriousness and implementation of the plan. District Social Welfare Officer Pankhuri Jain said that continuous correspondence is being done at the government level regarding budget allocation for selected gram panchayats. As soon as the budget is received, development work will be started and villages will be made ideal.
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