Rural Improvement Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday held a “brainstorming” session with numerous stakeholders to debate methods to additional strengthen the Mahatma Gandhi Nationwide Rural Employment Assure Act (MGNREGA). It was attended by officers from numerous states, 17 specialists, representatives of civil society organizations, block and panchayat officers, MGNREGS staff, amongst others.
MGNREG Scheme commissioners of 5 states—Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha and Haryana— had been additionally in attendance, mentioned a supply.
In the course of the three-hour assembly at Krishi Bhawan, points associated to implementation of the MGNREGS, together with latest interventions like introduction of the Nationwide Cellular Monitoring System (NMMS), delay in launch of funds, delay in cost of wages, and non-payment of funds to West Bengal had been mentioned, a supply mentioned.
Civil society representatives had been of the view that as an alternative of mandating the NMMS, the federal government ought to emphasize on conducting extra social audits to make sure transparency in MGNREGS. In addition they raised the problem of holding of funds to West Bengal.
Anuradhapura Talwar and Uttam Gayen of Paschim Banga Khet Main Samity urged Chouhan to renew MGNREGS works in West Bengal which were stopped since March 2022. “…Jinhonne choree kee hai unko na to chinhit kiya ja raha hai aur na hello punish kiya ja raha hai. NREGA staff punish ho rahe hain. (Those that have dedicated the theft are neither being recognized nor punished. NREGA staff are being punished.),” Talwar mentioned, talking about alleged leakages in West Bengal. She additionally urged Chouhan to permit launch of MGNREGS funds to the state.
The assembly comes at a time when the federal government is within the means of finalizing allocations for central schemes for FY2025-26. Earlier this week, a Parliamentary Standing Committee had really useful a rise in assure of labor beneath NREGS from 100 to 150 days, and hike in wages.
Chouhan mentioned that MGNREGS is not only a scheme, however an vital technique of stability and empowerment in rural India.
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