Address shortcomings in execution of MGNREGA: Minister to officials

JAIPUR: Union Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh today asked officials concerned to address the shortcomings, including delay in payments and improper planning, in the execution of MGNREGA scheme.

Chairing a meeting of officials from various states here, the minister laid stress upon convergence in working with other departments for creating quality assets under the MGNREGA scheme.

Quoting a CAG report in reference of the MGNREGA, the minister highlighted that the scheme has brought a major improvement in socio-economic infrastructure. 90 per cent of the beneficiaries are small or marginal farmers, labourers who used to migrate from their areas due to lack of livelihood, he said.

The Rural Development and Panchayti Raj Minister said 60 per cent amount of the total cost has to be spent on agriculture-related developmental works, land development, plantation, sanitation and such works.

He asked the officials to address the issues of improper planning, delay in payments, capacity building so that the scheme can be implemented flawlessly.

He said that on the initiative of the Centre, some of the states have introduced electronic system to ensure payment within a week and MGNREGA Lokpal appointed at district levels to bring transparency in the works.

Besides Rajasthan, officers from other states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Uttarakhand were also present in the meeting and they gave presentation on works done under MGNREGA in their states, according to an official release here.