The Union Rural Development Ministry has pitched in for usage of eco-friendly locally made materials for buildings or assets being constructed under the MNREGA scheme with an aim to cut down usage of steel and cement to check impact of climate change.
A senior official from the RD Ministry pointed out that this would also ensure higher labour ratio in the works being undertaken under the rural job scheme being implemented across the States so that higher wages is doled out to the workers.
More so it has been found that it is possible to construct labour intensive and durable good quality buildings using the designs which are in tune with the local culture, he noted.The move also comes in the wake of complaints that the works under the MNREGA scheme gets stuck at times either due to shortage of cement and steel which also effect the construction cost.
“Directives have been issued under the MNREGA to reduce use of cement and steel and instead focus on usage of locally available construction materials like mud blocks, stone and bricks using local practices of the region,” the official said.
For instance, the States have been asked to use filler slabs using tiles or local materials to reduce the concrete and also avoid cement plastering to the extent possible on both sides of the wall, as per the directives issued recently under the scheme.
This would also ensure involvement of the local people so that they feel the sense of the belonging to the construction works and upgrade their skills as per changing requirements, he added.
The idea is also to ensure that they do not have to depend on contractors and are self-sustained, the official said.The State Governments have also been suggested to set up centres for design, technology and training for eco-friendly technologies as suitable for local conditions.