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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Prime Minister and Sonia promise more MGNREGA reforms by K Balchand

Prime Minister and Sonia promise more MGNREGA reforms by K Balchand

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published Published on Feb 2, 2011   modified Modified on Feb 2, 2011
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday promised to usher in more reforms in the scheme under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and increase the number of days of job guaranteed to Below the Poverty Line households.

Speaking at a function here to mark the completion of the fifth year of the MGNREGA, Dr. Singh promised to reform the delivery mechanism for the scheme to reach the needy, use of technology to stop corrupt practices, and to bring it within the purview of Right to Information Act.

To change the mindset

Introduction of technology was necessary to change the mindset of the people in rural areas, he stressed. A biometric database would be created for MGNREGA workers to register their presence and make payments. He hoped that this would address the problem of delayed payments. A demonstration of the instrument was made at the function.

The MGNREGA would also be used to bring in administrative reforms, using gram panchayats as a nodal agency. The people would be involved in developing micro plans, monitoring and socialauditing of the works. The capacity of the panchayats would be enhanced for them to shoulder increased responsibilities. .

‘Stern action needed'

Taking note of threats received by those undertaking social auditing, the Prime Minister said stern action needed to be taken to curb the tendency. Comprehensive measures were being initiated to strengthen the social auditing system.

Ms. Gandhi promised that in the days to come the MGNREGA would be evolved to provide permanent employment to the needy. The scheme would be used to put down problems of drought and floods and protect the environment. She expressed concern over reports of MGNREGA money being misappropriated with fake job cards and muster rolls, works being shown as executed only on paper, and delay in payment to workers.

She also expressed her resentment that the grievance redress mechanism was not shouldering its responsibilities and that the absence of proper amenities continued to discourage women's participation in the programme.

Ms. Gandhi underlined the need for the Union government extending help to the States, besides suggesting strengthening of the social audit system by empowering women and self-help groups.

Union Minister for Rural Development Vilasrao Deshmukh said consultations had been held with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, and discussions were under way with the States to evolve a better system of social auditing.

He also referred to the incidents of threats being faced by those engaged in social auditing, and said he would talk to the Uttar Pradesh government to provide security to Sandeep Pandey, who had returned the MGNREGA award given to him in protest.


The Hindu, 3 February, 2011, http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/03/stories/2011020367761400.htm


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