The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : ‘Take up NREGP in lean period’

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Thursday, Jul 17, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Take up NREGP in lean period’

- Photo G. Krishnaswamy

Expert advice: Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh (left) at National Institute of Rural Development in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: The Centre has asked the States to take up works under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) during lean period and not at the time of agricultural operations.

This was announced on Wednesday by Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh after a meeting of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee at the National Institute of Rural Development here.

He told presspersons that 100 days of the work to be implemented each year under the scheme would be during non-agricultural season.

He asserted that the bargaining capacity of the labour had increased following introduction of NREGP. The scheme received all-round appreciation at the committee’s meeting.

So far 2.82 crore accounts were opened all over the country.

Lauding A.P. for "showing the way" to other States by ensuring opening of 100 per cent accounts for those who were paid wages, he said Bihar was "worst" in implementing the scheme.

The Minister charged the Bihar government with not being enthusiastic in implementing NREGP.

While Rs.1,300 crore was disbursed in 13 districts here, only Rs.400 crore was paid in 38 districts in Bihar. Mr. Prasad said Jharkhand fared better than Bihar, adding he was not indulging in “politics”.

Stressing the need for strict vigilance and monitoring of NREGP, he said that he had written to some States to follow the example of AP, Karnataka and Jharkhand in opening accounts.

Replying to a question, he denied diversion of funds under the programme.

Earlier, inaugurating the meeting Mr. Singh said it was the first time that the committee meeting was being held at NIRD.

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