A proposal of the Odisha Government for creation of 536 posts of Bare Foot Technicians (BFT) under MGNREGS in 11 districts of Odisha is pending with MGNREGA Cell of Union Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) for last three years for unknown reasons.
The Odisha Government had submitted the proposal for this in March 2019 and sent a reminder in January this year, but the Centre is yet to take any action.
"Keeping in view the topography of the State as well as massive execution of MGNREGS works, it has become expedient to deploy adequate number of BFTs in the aspirational districts, Mission Water Conservation (MEC) districts and drought affected districts. There is need of additional 536 BFTs for assisting in execution of development works," the Director, special projects had stated in his request letter sent to the Director, MGNREGA, MoRD in 2019.
The BFTs appointed under MGNREG scheme are playing a pivotal role in implementation of NREG projects at ground level. They have been trained in the basic concepts of civil engineering and are involved in planning, doing layout, measuring and supervising MGNREG works. Ten districts of Odisha have 627 BFTs at present appointed in the first phase of implementation of the concept in 2019 after getting approval from the MORD.
"They have been identified from the local SC/ST MGNREGA worker households and specially trained in civil engineering concepts. Therefore, they are very much helpful in better implementation of projects, measurements of works, due to which online submission of data and release of wages to workers has significantly improved," said APO of Khariar block Pradeep Ojha. "It has also created employment opportunities for the young women and men of vulnerable sections of society," said Sanjay Tiwari, an activist.
This issue has also been raised by several activists in social media platforms like Twitter tagging the message to BJP Parliament members of Bargarh, Deogarh, Sambalpur and Balangir, who, officially are yet to raise the issue with the Government.
