**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 1591 regarding the holding of District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meetings in West Bengal, particularly in Malda and Murshidabad, answered on December 9, 2025. It outlines the Ministry of Rural Development's (MoRD) efforts to ensure regular DISHA meetings and the state of DISHA meeting convenings in West Bengal. It highlights that, as per records, no DISHA meetings have been convened in West Bengal districts, including Malda and Murshidabad, since 2019-20.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Importance of DISHA Meetings:**
* Timely DISHA meetings are crucial for effective governance and holistic district development.
* MoRD persistently works to ensure these meetings are convened regularly.
* **Ministry Actions:**
* All States/UTs, including West Bengal, have been urged to take necessary actions and instruct officials to ensure District Level DISHA meetings are held as per guidelines.
* **Status of DISHA Meetings in West Bengal:**
* As per records, no DISHA meetings have been convened in any district of West Bengal, including Malda and Murshidabad, since 2019-20.
* **Division of Responsibilities:**
* Administrative responsibilities are divided among Union, State, and Local Governments.
* MoRD facilitates DISHA Committee constitution and composition.
* State Governments and District Authorities are responsible for implementation and administrative oversight, including convening DISHA meetings.
* **Communication from District Magistrates:**
* The Ministry has not received any communication from the District Magistrates of Malda and Murshidabad regarding the same.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments/District Authorities**
* **Impact:** State Governments and District Authorities are responsible for the convening and administrative oversight of DISHA meetings. The lack of meetings in West Bengal districts highlights a failure in this area.
* **Action Required:** State Governments and District Authorities must take immediate steps to ensure DISHA meetings are convened regularly, adhering to prescribed guidelines.
**Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD)**
* **Impact:** The persistent failure of DISHA meeting conventions indicates a need to review the process with States and strengthen monitoring.
* **Action Required:** Explore better coordination mechanisms with State Governments to ensure compliance with DISHA meeting requirements.
**Residents of the Malda and Murshidabad Districts**
* **Impact:** Lack of DISHA meetings deprives the population of a vital channel for voicing their needs and monitoring regional development.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the development to ensure compliance and raise awareness.
Key Entities Referenced
District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA): Committee for effective governance and holistic development of districts.
Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD): Union Ministry facilitating the constitution and composition of DISHA Committees.
West Bengal: State where DISHA meetings are reportedly not being held.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1591
ANSWERED ON 09/12/2025
DISHA MEETINGS
1591. Shri Isha Khan Choudhury:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that the District Development Coordination
and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meetings have not been
held in several districts of West Bengal, including Malda and
Murshidabad under MaldahaDakshinLokSabha Constituency, if
so, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Ministry is aware that despite Ministry’s letter
sent to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal
regarding non-convening of DISHA meetings, no action has
been taken by the State Government, if so, the reasons
therefor;
(c) whether the Ministry has received any communication from the
District Magistrates of Malda and Murshidabad regarding the
same; and
(d) if so, the steps being taken by the Ministry to ensure that
regular DISHA meetings are convened in these districts as per
the prescribed guidelines?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a), (b) & (d): Timely convening of DISHA meetings is crucial for
ensuring effective governance and promoting the holistic
development of districts. Recognizing the critical importance of
DISHA, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) is persistently
working to ensure that these meetings are convened on a regular
basis. All States/ UTs including West Bengal have been urged from
time to time to take necessary actions and instruct the relevant
Member Secretaries (District Collectors, Magistrates, Deputy
Page 1 of 2Commissioners) to ensure that District Level DISHA meetings are
held as per DISHA guidelines. However, as per records, no DISHA
meeting has been convened in any district of West Bengal, including
Malda and Murshidabad under MaldahaDakshinLokSabha
Constituency since 2019-20.
In the federal governance structure, the administrative
responsibilities are divided among the Union, State, and Local
Governments. Although the MoRD facilitates the constitution and
composition of DISHA Committees, the actual implementation and
administrative oversight, including convening of DISHA meetings,
rests with State Governments and respective District Authorities.
(c): No.
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