Governor Syed Ahmed on Friday said implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), the Centre’s flagship scheme, will be monitored every week via video-conferencing.
At a meeting of Jharkhand State Rural Employment Guarantee Council at SKIPA auditorium, Ahmed said there should not be any slack implementation of the scheme, aimed to improve living conditions of the poor. “Even god will not forgive officials who do not show proper commitment to execute a scheme meant for the underprivileged,” he maintained.
The last meeting of the council had been held on September 29, 2011.
Ahmed wondered how national rural job schemes remain incomplete while there is no dearth of funds in Government coffers. “Since projects under MGNREGS also strengthen basic infrastructure in the rural hinterland, they should be completed in time, at any cost,” he added.
The Governor expressed concern over continuing migration from the State. “It seems bizarre. Why do people migrate despite the rural job scheme being in placeIJ We should find out reasons and ensure that people get jobs in their villages,” he pointed out.
He also asked officials to cut delay in making payment to labourers. Around 52,000 women self-help groups have been set up to assist implementation of the scheme.
The Governor pointed out that MGNREGS was giving impetus to land reforms by improving land fertility. “Trees planted under the scheme will also ensure maintaining ecological balance. Wells are being constructed to ensure irrigation facilities,” he added.
Ahmed pointed out that the State has decided to run a pilot project for water management in one gram panchayat under every block. Besides, construction and levelling of approach roads in rural areas will be taken up on priority basis under the scheme.