Ready to address issues raised by Vasundhra Raje regarding MNREGA Act, says Upendra Kushwaha

NEW DELHI: Asserting that the government was committed for an effective implementation of the provisions of the MNREGA Act, the Centre today it was ready to discuss the issues raised by Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhare Raje who has asked why the programme cannot be delivered as a scheme.

"The Chief Minister vide letter dated June 7, 2014 has raised certain issues regarding the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, one of which is questioning the need to continue it as an Act, rather than converting into a scheme," the government informed the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Rural Development Upendra Kushwaha said the issue has been examined and Raje has been intimated through a letter on June 26 that the "government is committed for an effective implementation of the provisions of the Act and towards that end, would deliberate on all issues raised by therein".

Replying to another question, the minister hailed the Saranda Action Plan launched to address the basic needs of the tribal people living in 56 villages under six gram panchayats in Saranda area of West Sighbhum district in Jharkhand through integrated implementation of government schemes.

"The concerted effort of the government has helped in mainstreaming of the people of this area and improving quality of their life," Kushwaha said in reply to a query on the latest status of plan towards the implementation and developing the Maoist stricken villages in the Saranda forests.