The Hindu : National : NREGS implementation has proved critics wrong: Sonia

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NREGS implementation has proved critics wrong: Sonia

Special Correspondent

“Scheme has stopped the exodus of labour and has empowered women”

Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday credited the government with the success of the scheme under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) and said its implementation proved its critics wrong.

The scheme underlined the UPA government’s commitment to reach out to the masses and provide them with all basic amenities, she said.

Addressing an NREGA conference here, Ms. Gandhi said the common minimum programme policies were intended for the uplift of the poor, especially in rural India, and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acquitted himself well in implementing the schemes aimed at ensuring equitable growth and distribution. The NREGS stopped the exodus of labour, empowered women, provided basic facilities in many sectors, including education and health, and transformed life in the rural belt. “Only when the common man prospers will the country prosper.”

Ms. Gandhi promised that lacunae in the scheme would be removed.

She said that in view of the enormity of the scheme, the government did not rely only on its machinery. She honoured government officials, NGOs and gram sabha representatives who contributed to spreading awareness of the scheme and making it a success.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, holding additional of Finance, said creation and retention of employment were the foremost priorities.

The NREGS had given the common man an opportunity to seek employment and the Act had unlocked the potential of the rural poor.

Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, who presided over the programme attended by over 6,000 delegates from across the country, demanded immediate approval of pension schemes for widows and the disabled.

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