The scheme has reduced rural migration and promoted financial inclusion, but needs to create more durable assets. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) – the only government social welfare scheme named after the other Gandhi, not belonging to Nehru-Gandhi family – has recently completed five years. The performance of the scheme, considered a major pillar of UPA government's strategy of inclusive growth, has been a matter of debate. The...
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Nayagram threatens to burn hole into Bengal govt claims by Romita Datta
Extreme poverty and clamour for firewood have forced some people in Nayagram into extreme occupations. One such is gathering kolmipoka, an insect with medicinal value After walking almost 30km along rutted roads since the morning, middle-aged Bonchu Nayek returns to his humble home, a two-room hut, as darkness descends on Nayagram—one of West Bengal’s poorest villages—with his day’s earning of Rs10. Nayek, whose forefathers were hunters, belongs to the Lodha-Sabar tribe. With...
More »Belt shops target NREGS workers to rake in moolah by Raghu Paithari
After forming syndicates, the liquor mafia in Nizamabad district is now targeting young workers of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme ( MGNREGS) to rake in more moolah. Towards this end, the powerful mafia succeeded by roping in village development committees (VDCs) to help them open more belt shops in villages. Though it was illegal, a majority of these belt shops are being run in residential colonies, slum areas and...
More »After graft claims, Orissa to monitor jobs scheme
Orissa, which has already ordered a CBI probe into allegations of rampant corruption in the rural jobs scheme, has also formed a group to monitor the scheme's working in the state, a senior official said Wednesday. S.K. Lohani, director of special project of the Panchayati Raj department, said the government would also examine the best practices being followed by other states in the execution of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment...
More »MGNREGS benefits must reach villagers: Guv in Dahod
On a two-day visit to tribal-dominated district of Dahod, Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal on Friday said that benefits of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) must reach the farmers regularly. Beniwal interacted with villagers in Dhanpur taluka on Friday and met local leaders at Devgadh Baria. Many villagers complained shortage of drinking water and about MGNREGS irregularities. The Governor also met women from self-help groups from the region. ...
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