The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : NREGP works reviewed

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Thursday, May 08, 2008
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NREGP works reviewed

Staff Reporter

Ernakulam, Kottayam lagging in implementation

KOCHI: With the re-launch of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) in the district on May Day, works for the successful execution of the programme have gathered momentum.

A meeting identified Ernakulam, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram as lagging in the implementation of the NREGP. So it has become imperative for the district to shed its initial lethargy.

Akshaya centres, entrusted with taking photographs of those registering under the programme, have intensified their work.

Those registering under the programme are required to submit five passport-size photographs for a variety of purposes, including for affixing on the job card to be issued to them and for opening bank account.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed between the Poverty Alleviation Unit (PAU), implementing agency of the programme, and the district Akshaya project office.

Akshaya centres at the Pallipuram, Elamkunnapuzha, Kalady, Choornikkara, Kunnukara and Poothrikka panchayats (out of the 88 panchayats in the district) have almost completed their assignments.

The centres at Pallipuram and Poothrikka had photographed around 1,200 applicants, Akshaya sources said. Majority of these were women, especially aged in their thirties. At last count, 1.22 lakh people had registered under the programme in the district.

Digital cameras

Joseph Abraham, project director, PAU, expressed satisfaction at the progress of work. Most of the panchayats had purchased digital cameras as directed by the government so that the Akshaya centres without cameras could utilise it, he said.

An Akshaya entrepreneur would receive Rs.6.25 from each applicant for taking photograph and printing four copies.

“As it is not feasible for each entrepreneur to print copies of photographs individually, a collective decision had been taken to entrust the printing work with a select entrepreneur,” Akshaya sources said. He could get the copies of photographs printed in bulk from the neighbouring State at a lower cost, sources said.

“The programme is already under way in the Angamaly and Parakkadavu block panchayats. Renovation of a pond has been taken up at Angamaly, while cleaning of a canal is the assigned work at Parakkadavu,” Mr. Abraham said.

Mr. Abraham expected the programme to gather steam in the coming days. Panchayat secretaries who attended last week’s meeting were very enthusiastic and promised maximum cooperation, he said.

‘The panchayats are now in the process of allocating work under the NREGP and drawing up an action plan for its active implementation,” he said.

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