Amid accusations by Congress that the BJP Government is attempting to “kill the soul and spirit” of MGNREGA, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Friday said that reforms are being introduced in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee (MGNREGA) scheme to provide greater benefits to a larger number of people.
The Chief Minister while addressing mediapersons
at the 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2016 at Surajkund in district Faridabad said that the scheme, which was launched about 10 years ago, had a number of shortcomings.
This had resulted in the benefits being limited to only a few people. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Rural Development Minister Birender Singh is making consistent efforts to overcome the drawbacks in the scheme, he added.
Haryana Congress had earlier this week held a protest rally against the BJP Government for withholding payments to States for MNREGA works.
Meanwhile, referring to his upcoming visit to Chennai, the Chief Minister said that he would visit the city on February 10, with an objective of attracting investment in Haryana. He said that apart from foreign investors, Haryana Government is also wooing investors from other states. About Urban local Bodies polls, Manohar lal said that Haryana Government is ready for elections to Urban local Bodies in the state and all preparations have been completed. The election process would begin as soon as the date is announced by the State Election Commission, he added.
The Chief Minister had earlier held a discussion with officers regarding health services being provided in the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Urban local Bodies Minister, Kavita Jain, said that the Haryana Government is ready to take every possible step for empowerment of women and the ambitious ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ programme is being implemented on a strong note.
She also hailed the election of nearly 50 per cent women to panchayati raj institutions in the state during the recently-concluded elections.