Madhya Pradesh is the first State of the country where all payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) are being made electronically. During the current financial year, 18.07 lakh works have been completed at a cost of Rs3,193 crore under the scheme in the State.
This was informed at a meeting of the general body of Employment Guarantee Council chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday. Minister for Panchayats and Rural Development Gopal Bhargava, Minister for Finance Jayant Malaiya, Minister for Public Works Sartaj Singh, Minister for Tribal and Scheduled Castes Welfare Gyan Singh and Vice-chairman of State Planning Commission Babulal Jain and senior officials of different departments also attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister stressed on completion of MGNREGA works within time limit with quality. Its implementation should be constantly monitored. He directed to draw up a comprehensive programme under Jalabhishek Abhiyan. The meeting was informed that a labour budget of every village has been prepared under the scheme. The Electronic Fund Management System of Madhya Pradesh has been replicated by 28 States of the country. Priority is being given to Anganwari buildings, Gram Sampark and Khet Sadak roads and agriculture related works under MGNREGA.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting include Chief Secretary Anthony DeSa, ACS Rural Development Aruna Sharma, ACS Finance Ajaynath and ACS Planning Ajita Vajpaiyee Pandy.