The corruption-ridden Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) is all set for restructuring under the new dispensation at the Centre. New Rural Development Minister Gopinath Munde on Tuesday promised to revamp the rural job scheme by linking employment with development in rural areas across the country.
After assuming charge of the Ministry, Munde stressed the scheme needed to be restructured as it had got off the track because of major implementation problems.
Munde, who is also the Minister for Panchayati Raj and Sanitation, said he liked the MNREGA and flagged difficulties like disbursement of money and management that plagued its implementation.
“I want to link the programme with the progress of villages. Development of villages and employment will go together,” Munde said about the Act which was enacted in 2005 to enhance the livelihood security of people in rural areas by ensuring 100 days of employment in a financial year to a rural household.
Since its implementation, the UPA’s flagship scheme has been riddled with corruption and flaws in implementation. In its latest report on the scheme’s performance during 2007-12, the CAG had pointed out that the demand for jobs dipped by nearly 20 lakh between 2009 and 2012. The number of households that demanded employment was 36.26 lakh in 2009-10 and dipped to 16.64 lakh two years later.
Munde said the implementation of the new land acquisition law was also one of his topmost priorities. “This was a ‘very good’ legislation supported by the BJP in Parliament and now this is my responsibility to implement the law. I will do this
rigorously. For the last 20 years, people had been demanding this new legislation.”
Asked about the industry’s concerns, he said, “The Bill is passed. I am happy that
implementation part has come to me.”
On sanitation and drinking water, key concerns raised by Modi and Munde’s predecessor Jairam Ramesh, the Minister said budgetary allocation for them should be increased further.
“Present allocation is not enough. I will give a proper shape to sanitation programme. Toilets should be constructed in every rural household and public place as it is an issue involving the dignity of women,” he said.