Chief Minister Hemant Soren has demanded from the Centre to increase the number of days under the rural job guarantee scheme, MGNREGA. Speaking at a meeting of the State Employment Guarantee Council on Friday, the CM said that the modification should be done keeping in mind the needs of the State.
Jharkhand is quite known for unemployment scenario especially in rural areas which lead to mass scale migration going out in the search of livelihood. The CM wanted to raise the number of days under the scheme from existing 100 to 150.
He on the occasion also reviewed progress under MGNREGA during 2014-15 and instructed the officials to prepare a database of all the labourers working. “The works completed through the scheme should be developed as an asset for the State. We also have to stress on monitoring part,” said Hemant Soren while underlining the gravity of migration.
The CM at the same time indicated towards delay in payment to the workers and termed it as one of the reasons behind their opting for lesser wages outside over MGNREGA in the State. He also directed the DCs to find out reasons behind the delay and told them to look for possibility to make payment at the work place itself.
The CM also emphasised on greater participation of women into the scheme and called for better working conditions for them at the work place. He also told the officials to locate jobs suitable for primitive tribes for which a formal request would be sent to the Center.
Rural Development Minister KN Tripahi said that the blocks with sluggish pace in the scheme should be identified and a review should be done for the reason behind.