‘Doorstep Services’ initiative in Kerala to have people’s participation
People’s participation in rolling out essential services at the homes of beneficiaries significant, says Minister MV Govindan
The Kerala government’s ‘Doorstep Services’ initiative is stepping into a more significant phase with the administration rolling out measures to rope in people’s participation towards its successful implementation. The Doorstep Services project aims at bringing all the important state services to people’s homes as and when they want them.
According to MV Govindan, Minister for Local Self Governments, Rural Development and Excise, the door-to-door services will see their implementation in a more effective manner through added people’s participation. He said that every local body in the state has been directed to expand and energize the scheme on its own.
In this regard, the local bodies across the state will have their project modules charted out and rolled out for the benefit of the people. In an effort to strengthen the funds needed to roll out the development measures, each village panchayat will be able to avail of Rs 1 lakh. Besides, municipalities will get to avail Rs 2 lakh, while the Corporations can get themselves Rs 5 lakh from their own funds or from the development funds allotted to them.
With this in place, the local bodies will need to make available for themselves biometric equipment, laptops and travel expenses required for project implementation. Under the Doorstep services initiative, People-oriented services such as mustering, issue of life certificate, social security pension, Chief Ministers Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) assistance and life-saving medicines will be factored in as the initial services that would be provided at the citizens’ doorstep.
Volunteer help in rolling out services to be ensured
The minister added that the local bodies can use the money to buy equipment that would enable them to conduct mustering activities at the homes of the beneficiaries. In addition, volunteers will be given Rs 30 for aiding mustering work at people’s homes, Rs 20 for printing an application to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund at home, Rs 30 for issuing a life certificate and Rs 50 for printing and applying for a social security pension online as a reimbursement. Further, the cost of fuel from the service centres to the homes of the beneficiaries would be reimbursed at Rs 5 per km.
Local bodies have been directed to set up a joint bank account in the name of the president and co-ordinator of each local body and accept donations only through this bank account. The minister added that the amount should be set aside as a special fund, adding that the local bodies need to be ready to share the details of the account and the details of the door-to-door service via social media platforms.
It has also been suggested that donations for the Doorstep Services initiatives from individuals, CSR funds and sponsorship may also be accepted and spent through a separate account. Apart from these, art, sports, entertainment, cultural and commercial fairs also can be organized in strict accordance with the Covid-19 protocol so as to raise funds towards effective implementation of these people-oriented services.
