Sanction has been accorded to open employment-oriented works as per requirement of labourers under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Panchayats and Rural Development Minister Gopal Bhargava has informed that works identified under shelf off projects (SOP) are being started in the Gram Panchayats where no previous work is pending.
Bhargava informed that old works under MNREGS are being completed at a rapid pace in most of the districts. Till October last 7.32 lakh works were incomplete, he added. Now, only 4.12 lakh construction works are remaining which are being completed at a rapid pace.
Bhargava informed that among the works to be started in rural areas, minimum 60 per cent will be agriculture-based. Agriculture and agriculture-based employment-oriented works can be started if a Gram Panchayat is not in a position to maintain 60:40 ratio of labourers and materials. The Panchayats where incomplete works have been completed, construction of Panchayat Building Service Centre can be taken up on priority. Janpad Panchayats have been directed that at a time, maximum 5 community-based and 25 beneficiary-oriented works can be opened in a Gram Panchayat.
As per directives of Panchayats and Rural Development Department, if demand of labourers is more in a Gram Panchayat then musters of incomplete works will be released first. Opinion of assistant engineer can be sought regarding opening of new works following with new works can be allotted through approval of District Programme Coordinator or Additional District Programme Coordinator.
The new works to be started with MNREGS convergence will be approved by competent authority and Janpad Panchayats will generate e-muster for them. A register of new works will also be maintained at Janpad level in which details of new works to be opened will be entered explicitly. This system will remain in force till completion of
incomplete works of financial year 2013-14 (except new plantation works).