Union Rural Development Minister Birender Singh on Friday said the Central Government would increase the mandays under MNREGA from 100 to 150 in drought-hit areas, in view of the forecast of 14 per cent less monsoon.
With the monsoon predicted to be deficient in 2015, the Centre is preparing plans for the States that would be worst-hit, said the Union Minister, who along with senior officials held a press conference here to give out details of the works done and achievements of past one year of the BJP Government at the Centre.
He said that arrangements would be made to provide drinking water in areas which may be hit by drought or less rainfall this year. Singh said there was a provision to appoint an ombudsman for MNREGA to look into issues of public dealing. Also, the Comptroller and Auditor General has operationalised the social audit mechanism.
Rubbishing that NDA’s land bill is anti-farmer, Birender Singh said that opposition parties, any individual or farmers themselves can give suggestions regarding the bill to the Government.
Asked if private sector wants to set up projects like thermal power plants, will Government acquire land for them, he said, “For that purpose consent clause and other things will be applicable... For private venture, Government is not going for acquisition.” He said that the Centre would not acquire even an inch of land on behalf of private sector, but would acquire land for infrastructural development like roads, water works, railways and defence installations.
Any amendment in the ordinance made by the government would be in favour of the farming community. The Congress should not make it like a matter of prestige as if the land Act of 2013 brought by the previous UPA was the best the country can have, he added.
Replying to a question, he said there is no question of changing the name of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and that the present government has done more to strengthen the programme.