Noting that there are variations in demand for work under
MNREGA, Government today said it would continue with the rural job
scheme.
The Government also informed Rajya Sabha that an action plan
has been formulated to improve the implementation of MNREGA.
"There are variations in demand for work under the
scheme year to year, depending on seasonal factors, but there is no steady
decline. The wage employment provided has increased from 218.76 crore person
days in 2011-12 to 219.72 crore person days in 2013-14," Minister of State
for Rural Development Upendra Kushwaha said in a written statement.
Asked whether the government plans to continue with the
MNREGA, which is a demand driven programme, he said, "Yes".
The Minister said the demand for work itself is influenced by
various factors such as rainfall pattern, availability of alternative and
remunerative employment opportunities outsideMNREGA and prevailing unskilled
wage rates.
Announcing the action plan to improve implementation of the
programme, the Government said it includes improving quality of assets by
better planning and technical supervision, greater facility for taking up
larger and durable assets, including convergence with other departments.
To reduce delays in payment of wages under MNREGA, a system
of payment of compensation for such delays was brought in Para 29 of Schedule
II of the Act and the states have been advised to ensure compliance with this
provision, the Minister said.
The government said states have been asked to universalise
operationalisation of electronic Fund Management System to ensure smooth flow
of funds from states to wage seekers and to eliminate delays in payment of
wages.
The states have also been asked to implement social audits
more vigorously to control irregularities in implementation.
Kushwaha also said the states have been asked to put in place
an ombudsman in every district to hear and resolve grievances.
Source : The
Economic Times
