Madhya Pradesh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava on Thursday admitted in the Assembly that payment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has been delayed due to the delay in the passing of the Union Budget.
Raising the issue during the Question Hour, Mukesh Nayak of main opposition Congress alleged that the state has received lesser amount from the Centre under the scheme as compared to previous years. He claimed that payments of wages to labourers have been delayed by three months.
In his reply, Bhargava said the state has received `123 cr from the Centre two days back. The Government has sought more funds from the Centre and has received assurance in this regard.He said the Centre has provided `2,451.63 cr in 2014-15 and `2,244.75 cr in the current fiscal so far. He assured that the remaining amount would be paid in April.
In response to another query by Kailash Chawla of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Minister said evaluation of works done under the scheme in panchayats in Neemuch district would be completed within 15 days and related payments disbursed. Besides, the Madhya Pradesh Government told the Assembly that camps would be organised across the state next month for examining differently-abled and providing them certificates.
Replying to Satyapal Singh Sikarwar of ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the Question Hour, Panchayat, Rural Development and Social Justice Minister Gopal Bhargava said the census for differently-abled people could not be organised in 2014-15 due to Model Code of Conduct remaining in force most of the time.
However, he claimed that these sections have been provided benefits by conducting 'jan sunwai (public hearing)' programmes through district collectors. He assured that door-to-door publicity of the camps would be ensured.
In response to corruption charge by Ramkishan Patel of BJP by making payments without toilets actually being built in Udaipura assembly constituency, the Minister said a senior officer from Bhopal would be sent to inquire into the matter.