THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Gumla, Feb 20: “The sanitary pads manufactured in Gumla are among the thinnest and best, using advanced gel technology,” said Jharkhand’s Rural Development Minister Deepika Pandey Singh, as she inspected the sanitary pad manufacturing unit in Dumri under Project Kishori.
She praised the initiative, highlighting its role in women’s self-reliance and expressed interest in expanding the model nationwide.
The Minister visited Gumla district today to review key rural development projects and hold discussions with officials. She emphasized timely, transparent, and quality-driven implementation of schemes, particularly those related to employment, infrastructure, and women’s empowerment.
Project Kishori: A Model for Women’s Empowerment
During her visit to Dumri block, the Minister closely examined the sanitary pad production unit operated by women of the FPO (Farmer Producer Organization) under JSPLS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society).
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She lauded the project, calling it an inspirational initiative for women’s financial independence. She directed officials to:
🔹 Enhance production quality & capacity
🔹 Explore national-level implementation of the Project Kishori model
Her assurance of full government support signals a strong push for scaling up this initiative.
Strengthening Panchayat Secretariats for Better Governance
In a review meeting, Minister Deepika Pandey Singh directed officials to ensure that Panchayat Secretariats operate at full capacity, as they are the backbone of local administration. She mandated that:
✅ Panchayat Secretaries must be present daily
✅ All volunteers should be actively involved
✅ Government scheme forms should be available at Panchayat Secretariats to ease public access
She stressed that people should receive benefits at the Panchayat level itself rather than making repeated visits to block offices.
Employment Boost Through MNREGA & Unemployment Allowance
Discussing the MNREGA scheme, the Minister urged officials to link more workers to boost employment and economic empowerment in rural areas. She also insisted on high-quality standards in ongoing projects.
On the Unemployment Allowance Scheme, she directed that it be implemented smoothly so that youth receive timely support and can work towards self-reliance. She reiterated the government’s commitment to creating sustainable job opportunities for the youth.
Commitment to Transparency & Effective Governance
Concluding her visit, Minister Pandey Singh emphasized that all development projects must be timely, transparent, and high-quality. She encouraged officials and workers to approach her directly in case of any challenges.
Acknowledging Gumla’s progress in development, she urged officials to strengthen ground-level coordination and make the district a role model for others.
Key Officials Present
The meeting was attended by:
✔ DRDA Director Vidya Bhushan
✔ DC LR-cum-Panchayati Raj Officer Rajiv Kumar
✔ Sub-Divisional Officer Sadar Rajiv Neeraj
✔ DPM JSPLS Shailendra Jarika
✔ Executive Engineers (Rural Development & District Council)
✔ DPO MNREGA, ADF Media Alina Das, DMFT Fellow Abhinash Pathak
