The central government has issued a directive to the Haryana government, instructing it to hold meetings of the DISHA Committee independently and not jointly with other committees. This directive comes four months after the Haryana state government ordered the simultaneous convening of meetings for the District Level Grievance Redressal Committee and the DISHA Committee.
MP's Objection Triggers Central Intervention
The Centre's action was prompted by objections raised by Ambala Congress MP, Varun Chaudhary. In a letter dated September 25 to Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chaudhary argued that the state's July instructions were totally against the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and the federal structure. He contended that this was an attempt to undermine the powers of Members of Parliament in their constituencies.
Chaudhary emphasized the distinct mandates of the two committees. He stated that DISHA committee meetings, chaired by a state minister, are dedicated to monitoring central-sponsored schemes. In contrast, the Grievances Committee meetings, chaired by the local MP, focus primarily on addressing individual public grievances.
Practical Hurdles and Federal Concerns
The Congress MP also highlighted practical difficulties, noting that a DISHA meeting typically lasts six to eight hours. He argued that it was not feasible for both a minister and an MP to be available on the same day for such lengthy, concurrent meetings. He warned that the state's directive would lead to the non-functioning of the DISHA Committee, ultimately impairing the development objectives it is meant to achieve.
In its July order, the Haryana Development and Panchayats Department had not only mandated joint meetings but had also issued a rotational schedule for all districts extending up to August 2026. This move was viewed by some Congress leaders as an encroachment on the rights of MPs.
Centre Upholds DISHA Guidelines
Responding to the MP's concerns, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed Chaudhary on November 6 that his ministry had written to the Haryana government. The Centre's communication stressed the need to ensure DISHA meetings are convened independently, in line with the official guidelines, for the effective monitoring of central programmes.
The Union ministry clarified that convening DISHA meetings jointly with other committees may not be in conformity with the mandate of DISHA committees. It pointed out that these meetings involve a detailed review and discussion on multiple central schemes, which often last for several hours. The ministry further noted that joint convening may not be practically feasible and could adversely affect the quality and focus of the crucial deliberations.
The guidelines explicitly state that Lok Sabha MPs are nominated as chairpersons of DISHA committees, and their meetings are to be convened with the approval of the respective chairperson.
