Question : CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF CHAIRMEN UNDER MONITORING COMMITTEES

(a) whether the Government have reconstituted the State and District Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committees to monitor the implementation of rural development programmes.

(b) if so, the criteria set for appointment of Chairmen of such Committees;

(c) whether the Members of Parliament representing less number of assembly constituencies in a district have been made the chairmen of such committees whereas M.P. representing more assembly constituencies in that district have been made the Vice-Chairman;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government have received any representation from the M.Ps in this regard;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps taken by the Government to remedy the situation ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ANNASAHEB M.K. PATIL)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) The criteria set for appointment of Chairman of such Committees is as under:

(i) Where there is only one Member of Lok Sabha in a district, that Member has been nominated as chairman of the Committee in that district.

(ii) Where there are more than one Member of Lok Sabha in a district, the Member covering the maximum geographical area of the district has been nominated as Chairman and other Member representing the district have been nominated Vice-Chairman. Speaker/Deputy Speaker, Lok Sabha or a Minister in the Union Council of Ministers, amongst the Members, such Member has been nominated as chairman and other Member(s) have been nominated as Vice -chairmen of the Committee.

(c) The number of Assembly Constituencies represented by Members of Lok Sabha has not been the criterion.

(d) Question does not arise.

(e) Yes, Sir.

(f) Some Members have represented that they should be nominated as Chairman of the District Level Vigilance & Monitoring Committees, as they represent more number of Assembly Constituencies.

(g) Such representation are examined with respect to the geographical area covered by the M.P. and corrective action taken, wherever required.