Ranchi, Feb. 1: Farmers at Maramdega reaped a bumper wheat crop this season to usher in grand post-harvest celebrations, thanks to a pilot project that helped revive irrigation facilities at this non-descript village in Simdega district.

Another village, Tamra, barely 10km away, scripted a similar success story over the last month, all thanks to the tireless efforts of Simdega deputy commissioner (DC) Vijoy Kumar Singh who has made it his mission to ensure that the administration intervenes in areas where a little help can go a long way in improving the lives of the people.

Residents of both Maramdega and Tamra villages, on opposite ends of the district, have always been hard working. But, their diligence never yielded enough for a decent living.

But, life took a positive turn in December last year when Singh decided to first adopted Maramdega in Tethaitanger block, and then Tamra, both around 10km from the district headquarters, and develop them as model villages.

At Maramdega, to start with, the administration rejuvenated a dead canal on the left bank of Kelaghagh dam on Chhinda river and repaired another one on the right bank. Soon, prosperity began to flow, resulting in record wheat production.

The harvest not only helped villagers recover the cultivation costs but also provided financial stability along with two square meals a day for their families. Food taken care of, the villagers have now asked their children to return to school.

"Barely Rs 5.12 lakh was spent on repairing the canals, which are now irrigating over 3,000 acres. Wheat and vegetable productivity, especially onion and potato, have improved significantly. All the villagers are now sending their children to school," DC Singh told The Telegraph.

At Tamra, the administration helped residents get water from Kansjore dam on Sankh river. They haven't looked back since.

"I observed that the people of both Maramdega and Tamra were hard working, but doomed to fend for themselves in the absence of any support from the official machinery," said Singh, who took charge of the district around six months ago.

Word is spreading about the transformation of Maramdega and Tamra. The Prime Minister's Office is learnt to have taken note. And yesterday, during his visit to Simdega, chief minister Raghubar Das appreciated Singh's efforts and also praised police for the return of peace in the area earlier terrorised by Maoists and criminals.

"It is because of DC Singh's hard work and dedication that Maramdega has become a model village. SP Rajeev Ranjan Singh is also doing a good job. Other officers may take lessons," Das said in his address to local residents during his Yojana Banao Abhiyan.

Singh, who had already added two more to his list of model villages - Garhbasin in Kersai block and Hatem in Kurdeg block - is now looking to add another.

He has been visiting Kenduda village regularly. Tomorrow he is going there with a group of officials to finalise a roadmap for developing the area.

"No one objects to development work. I move around freely in these remote areas without armed bodyguards. I want to make this a hub of forest produce," Singh said about Kenduda in Bano, around 38km from the district headquarters, and traditionally known for lac cultivation.

Simdega MLA and former minister Vimla Pradhan has also appreciated Singh's initiatives and promised all help.

"I facilitated the release of Rs 35 lakh for MGNREGS work in the area, which may be undertaken to clean up canals and other water bodies. I have also requested the chief minister to extend financial assistance from other heads for the betterment of Simdega," she said.

Enthused by the success, Singh has now set a target of 100 villages to develop - 10 from each of the 10 blocks in Simdega district.

Apart from irrigations facilities, Singh said, the administration would also take steps to improve healthcare, education and physical infrastructure at all model villages.