Deliver to citizen lost in maze of multiple agencies, Prez to Govt.

Saturday, August 15, 2009 10:03:21 AM, Agencies

New Delhi: Speaking at the Annual Day celebration of Mission
Convergence yesterday, President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil said the onus of delivering the benefits of various welfare schemes to the people lies with the Government.

She said the citizen was often lost in the maze of various departments and multiple agencies and ministries, so, it was important that procedures be streamlined and all benefits, as far as possible be made available at one point.

''In other words, the onus is on the Government to coordinate its
functioning within, bring relief and welfare benefits to one window
and making it the delivery point for benefits under all schemes,''
said Mrs Patil speaking at the Annual Day celebration of Mission
Convergence.

'' Welfare schemes, in essence, create a right for individuals
belonging to target groups. Delivering their right to them is our
duty and lack to deliver is our failure,'' she said.

Stating that India had the necessary pre-requisites for becoming
one of the leading nations in the world, she emphasised the need of
empowering its people, but sought to underline that ''this  empowerment, however, has to be inclusive and should take in its embrace all sections of society particularly the weaker and the
vulnerable.''
 

There are Central and State Government schemes for education,
health, employment as well as for the poorer and disadvantaged
sections of society, for the girl child, women, the elderly and the
differently abled, which would greatly help in the empowerment of
the people, she added.
 

Noting shortcomings of the delivery mechanisms and also the lack
of awareness among the people about programmes and schemes slowing down their implementation, she said that a number of steps had been initiated to address the situation cited the Central Government step to set up a National level Delivery Monitoring Unit in the Prime Minister's Office for flagship programmes.

President's address to the Nation

Meanwhile, in her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day, the President urged the nation to be prepared to face any situation arising out of poor monsoon and asked fellow citizens to cooperate with the Government in handling the swine flu pandemic.

“This year the monsoon has been less than normal impacting agriculture and availability of water. We have to be prepared to face the situation. The Government is taking all possible steps to deal with it,” Patil said in her address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day.

Following reports of 23 deaths in the country due to the deadly H1N1 virus, Patil said that the Government is taking all necessary measures to tackle the virus, and every citizen would have to join hands with the Government to eradicate the deadly disease.

“It is also taking necessary measures to handle the H1N1 influenza. Citizens have to come forward to contribute to Government's efforts in these areas and in other development initiatives through public-private partnerships, NGOs, community groups or Self Help Groups,” she added.

Patil further said that every citizen in the country must be aware of his civic and social responsibilities, so, he should be able to decide on what is good for the individual and what might be harmful to the society.

“An enlightened citizenry conscious of its civic duties and social responsibilities, maintaining discipline, following good habits particularly about hygiene and cleanliness, respectful towards nature''s bounty and sensitive to environmental concerns is the greatest asset of a nation,” Patil said.

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