NEW DELHI: With reports of alleged corruption and other irregularities in implementation marring the UPA Government's National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP), President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam has asked the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) to help bring about transparency in the flagship programme.

Addressing members of CAG's Audit Advisory Board here, Mr. Kalam said, "I find that based on the implementation of the Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in different States, [the] following problems have again come to light as per the press report: rampant corruption, widespread irregularities, delay in payment, fewer working days and lack of awareness."

Highlighting the drawbacks in the programme, Mr. Kalam urged the advisory board to take up the issue and recommended ways and means for its implementation in a transparent manner.

Transparency in the programme, aimed at providing 100 days of guaranteed employment in a year to one member of each rural household, was essential as it is being expanded to 330 districts in the current financial year with an allocation of Rs.12,000 crore, he said.

Expressing concern over the funds remaining unspent in various schemes, he asked CAG to identify the reasons for such bottlenecks as non-utilisation of funds was a common occurrence in Central and state ministries.

Since the Constitution does not indicate the timing of audit of any programme or project, Mr. Kalam asked CAG to commence "online non-intrusive e-audit" on a regular basis.

"When you audit after the function is over, it becomes history...very few people will appreciate `suggestions' to incorporate in the next projects," he said. This, he said, would also enhance the performance of governance.

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