Mail News Service
Imphal, Jan 30 : Angam Karuang Kom, Block Development Officer, Kakching CD Block today said that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) can improve the standard of living of the poor people in the rural areas thereby improving the economy of the nation.
Kom was speaking as a resource person on the second day of the three day Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign being held at the Mini Secretariat Hall, DC Complex, Thoubal under the aegis of PIB Imphal.
Speaking on MGNREGS, Kom reminded the audience that included a large number of students that the Scheme first introduced in 2005. The Scheme was implemented in 200 districts in the country for the first time on the 2nd February, 2006. Manipur’s Tamenglong district was included in the first phase. In the second phase, 130 districts were selected for implementation of the Scheme. Churachandpur and Senapati districts were included in the second phase. The third phase which was implemented on the 1st April, 2008 covered all the remaining districts of the country.
He said, the most important feature of MGNREGS is the guarantee of 100 days of employment to every household in the rural areas. Today, the Scheme is being implemented in Thoubal district in letter and spirit.
All the works taken up under the Scheme are recommended by the Gram Sabha which, as a rule, holds its annual meeting on every 2nd October. However, if necessary, the meeting of the Gram Sabha may be held twice or thrice in a year. Once the Gram Sabha has recommended , the works cannot be cancelled by anybody including the MLAs.
Kom said that in other states, all the works of Gram Panchayat are carried out by the Gram Panchayat. But in Manipur, it is not so due to various factors.
Md. Sirajur Rehman Asstt project Officer DRDO Thoubal, who spoke on Indira Awas Yojna on the second day of the Bharat Nirman campaign today held at Mini Secretariat conference hall at Thoubal DC complex said IAY was started to provide houses to the poor people. Beneficiaries should be from amongst SC/ST, minority communities and BPL families.
He said the framers of the policy knew that 83 percent of the country’s population live in rural area of which 73 percent are homeless. IAY envisages to provide houses to all these homeless people of the country, he also said.
The fund allotted for construction of houses under IAY too had been increased. 75 percent of the fund is borne by the centre and 25 percent by the state.
But in NE region the state share is only 10 percent 90 percent is borne by the centre. Fund flow is not a problem. Funds are released in time and the implementing agencies readily hand over the amount to the selected beneficiaries.
He said the list of beneficiaries under IAY is framed by gram panchayats at rural areas. The selection list is displayed at the office of the gram panchayat. Nobody can interfere in the selection of beneficiaries. Old widow, spinsters, victims of atrocities are considered on priority basis in the selection of beneficiaries.
He also said, fund for construction of houses are released in phased manner after seeing the progress of the work. The houses constructed under IAY will also get free electricity connection under RGVY.
He informed the gathering that in Thoubal District in 2012-13, 262 houses could be constructed under IAY.
At the end of the session the expert speaker put questions to the listeners. Those who could give correct answers were given prizes.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mgnregs-can-improve-standard-of-living-of-poor/
