Government Orders of Interest to Citizens

Government of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

 Agriculture - Chief Minister's  Mass Tree planting Scheme Implementation during 1998-99 in 130 more Panchayat Unions - Orders - Issued.

 AGRICULTURE (AP.I) DEPARTMENT

G.O.Ms.No.421                                                                                                                                          Dated: 27.10.1998

Read:

           1.      G.O.(MS) No.236, Agriculture Dated: 2.6.97.

1. 2.      G.O.(MS) No. 17, Agriculture Dated 21.1.98
2. 3.      G.O.(MS) No. 201, Agriculture Dated: 24.6.98
3. 4.      G.O.(MS) No. 304, Agriculture Dated: 17.8.98.
4. 5.      From the Director of Agriculture Lr. No. AG/787888/98 Dated: 4.4.98
5. 6.      From the Additional Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Environment and forests  D.O.Lr.No.12-24/97 B1, Dated: 13.4.98.

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ORDER:

            Availability of tree shadows, protection of environment, absorption of dust, control of sound waves, derivement of usufructs, prevention of soil erosion, securing green manures and medical benefits, bringing waste lands for useful purposes and maintenance of tree varieties from destruction  are ensured through planting of trees on road sides.  Keeping in view the above benefits, orders have been issued in the Government Order first cited above for implementation of Cheif Minister's Mass Tree Planting Scheme for getting adequate rain, for the welfare of public during 1997-98.  Under this scheme it was probgrammed to plant trees in 75 Panchayat unions in 25 districts at a stretch of 1875 K.M. and accordingly, a financial traget of Rs.537.972 lakhs has been achieved upto March 1998 through planting trees at a length of 1795 K.M.  This represents 2% of the total distance of Kilometre (80000) of Panchayat Union roads in Tamil Nadu and 12% in a Panchayat Union.  Government had accorded financial sanction of Rs.735 lakhs for implementation of the scheme during 1997-978.  In the Government Order third cite,d the Government accorded sanction for a sum of Rs.299.531 lakhs towards maintenance during 1998-99 of the trees planted in 1997-98 and directed that the scheme should be implemented by Agriculture Department till March 1999 and thereafter the expenditure towards maintenance shall be incurred by the concerned Panchayat Unions themselves.

             2. Apart from this, orders have been issued in the Government Order 2nd read above, sanctioning a sum of Rs.58.80 lakhs for the implementation of this scheme during 1997-98 in Thiruvallur and perambalur Districts.,  However, due to certain administrative reasons, this scheme could not be implemented during that year and accordingly the sanctioned amount was surrendered to Government.  However, orders were issued in the Government Order 4th read above for the revalidation of the amount so surrendered for the purpose of the implementation of the scheme in these two districts during 1998-99.

             3. The Director of Agriculture has reported that it is planned tonplant trees afresh during 1998-99 in 130 Panchayat Unions at the rate, fo 5 Panchayat unions in each of the 26 districts ( except the Nilgiris, Cennai and Kanyakumari) at a total length of 1950 K.M. at the rate of 15 K.M. (8 K.M. for Tamarind and 7 K.M for Neem) in each of the Panchayat Unions.  He has also stated that it isplanned to select a new Panchayat Unions in a district in addition to the Panchayat Unions which were selected during 1997-98 and the scheme implemented.  Further, in varience to the implementation of the scheme during 1997-98, Changes have been made under the following components.

 I.                 In view of the non-availability of  PKM-1 Cross -breed Tamrind seedlings in large numbers, non-cross breed Tamarind seedlings have been included this year.  Therefore, the cost of Tamarind seedlings has been reduced from Rs.25/- to Rs.4.25

 II.                As allotment of Rs.50/- last year for putting up tree-guard fence was not sufficient, it has been requested to increase the same to Rs.75/- this year.

1. III.              The scheme was implemented in 75 Panchayat Unions comprised in 25 districts at the rate of 25 KM/Panchayat Unions during 1997-98.  But during 1998-99, the tree planting length in a Panchayat Union has been reduced from  25.K.M. to 15 K.M. This  modification has been reduced from 25 .K.M. to 15 K.M.  This modification has been restored to, due to non-availability of separate saff for the scheme and the need for attaining full achievement inother scheme.  The supervison of staff will be effective, if planting trees in 5 Panchayat Unions at a length of 75 K.M.  Hence, it has been increased to 5 Panchayat Unions in 4 district instead of 3 Panchayat Unions.
2. IV.              Due to majority of the Panchayat Union roads in Kanyakumari district are situated closely and due to large number of road-side dwellings, it was not possible to plant the tree-seedlings during 1997-98.  Therefore. it is planned to implement the scheme during the current year 1998-99 in the remaining 16 district, i.e. excluding Kanyakumari district.  Therefore he has sought for financial approval from the Government for Rs.702.386 lakhs for implementation of this scheme in 130 Panchayat Unions comprised in 26 districts.

            4. After careful consideration of the proposals of the Director of Agriculture the Government issue the following orders:

 I.                 The Chief Minister's Mass Tree Planting Scheme should be implemented during 1998-99 in 130 Panchayat Unions comprised in 26 districts  (except Chennai, The Nilgiris and Kanyakumari)  at the rate of 5 Panchayat unions in each district, at a total distanct of 1950 K.M. at the rate of 15 K.M. in each union, with the funds, allotted under the Employment Assurance scheme, without exceeding 10% as prescribed in Government of India's Lr.No.12-24/97-BI, dated: 13.4.98.

 II.               The Joint Directors of Agriculture should approach the Project Officers / District Rural Development Agency for the required financial sanction for the implementation of the scheme.  For this purpose, the Joint Directors of Agriculture should submit the proposals containing the project details to the project officer for obtaining the approval of District Rural Development Agency.

 III.              The scheme should be implemented in accordance with the guidelines to be followed as prescribed for implementation of the Employment Assurance Scheme.  This scheme shall not be allowed to be implemented through Tender as per the guidelines prescribed under Employment Assurance Scheme.  This scheme should be implemented through the unemployed agricultural labourers:

 IV.             The Joint Director of Agriculture shall separately open a separate savings bank ccount for the purpose of this scheme, if such an account is not already in existance, for the purpose of receiving the required finance from District Rural Development Agency and to incur expenditure.  The Joint Directors of Agriculture should maintain proper vouchers and account books for incurring the expenditures and to be audited by a Chartered Accountant:

 V.               The scheme shall be implemented by the joint Directors of Agriculture in consultation with Project Officers (District Rural Development Agency)

 VI.             The Committee constituted under the Chairmanchip of District Collector  during 1997-98 will monior the implementation of the scheme and

 VII.            The seedlings required for the scheme should be purchased only from Government nurseries.

             5. The Director of Agriculture is requested to submit in the first week of every month a detailed report along with his remarks on the implementation of the scheme, and the progress of the scheme to the Government without fail.  The District Collector should monitor the implementation of the scheme and send a copy of te details of tree seedlings planted, to the office of Chief Minister from time to time.

             7.The Government accord financial sanction to the tune of Rs.702.386 lakhs (Rupees Seven Crores, Two lakhs thirty eight thousand and six hundred only) for the effective implementation of the Chief Minister's Mass Tree Planting Scheme in 130 selected Panchayat Unions to get optimum gain from the rain for the welfare of the people.

             8.This order issues with the concurrence of Finance Department vide its U.No.4380/FS(P)/98- 1dated:27.10.98

  (BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

                                                                                                             N.ATHIMOOLAM,

                                                                         SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

 To:

The Director of Agriculture, Chennai - 5.
All District Collectors (Except the Nilgiris, Kanyakumari and Chennai)
The Director of Rural Development, Chennai-15
All District Preoject Officers, District Rural Development Agency.
The Principal Conservator of Forest, Chennai.
All District Joint Directors of Agriculture.
All Treasury officers.
The Principal Accountant General, Chennai -18.
The Principal Accountant General, Chennai -18.(bn)
The Principal Accountant General, Chennai - 35.
The Principal Accountant General, Chennai - 35.(bn)
The Pay and Accounts officer (EAST), Chennai-5.

 Copy to

The Finance Department, Chennai-9.
The Rural Development Department, Chennai-9.
The Environment and Forests Department, Chennai-9.

Stock File / Spare Copy.

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