ANANTAPUR: Efforts to dilute the implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) were already set in motion by the administration, K. Ramakrishna, State president of Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, affiliated to the CPI, alleged here on Sunday.

The fact that non-issuance of job cards to those who had applied was an ample indication, he alleged.

Job cards

In Anantapur district too the job cards were not issued, as is the case at Parshapalli, Kotagummam, Mellacheruvu, Jellipalli and other villages in Kundurpi mandal, he told newspersons. The position was similar in all the 13 districts in the State where NREGS was being implemented, he said.

He said that grounding of works was also not done in many villages.

He demanded the State Government to come out with a white paper on the scheme with details like - the number of households applied, number of job cards given, works identified, works taken up, turnout of workers etc.

To attract more wage seekers to the scheme, he urged the Government to provide work wherever they seek and also by ensuring minimum wages, provision of suitable work to the aged and physically challenged, care for children of the wage seekers, first aid facility and provision of tools.

On the lack of remunerative price to any agriculture produce in the State, he criticised the State Government for its inaction to help the farming community.

Quota for BCs

On the new provision of reservation for Backward Classes in IITs, IIMs, NITs, Central universities and medical colleges, Mr. Ramakrishna said that the CPI would welcome the move. He condemned the alleged remarks by industrialists Ratan Tata and Rahul Bajaj that India would face another partition if the quota for BCs were implemented in premier educational institutions.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail