Mohali proves failure in reaping MGNREGA gains

With this,only 33.4 per cent was the average number of days for which employment was provided to a household person whereas only 24.56 per cent women were provided employment. For a total of 202 ongoing works,19.5 was the average number of labourers per work.

While the maximum of 136 works were in progress in Kharar block,38 works were underway in Dera Bassi and 28 in Majri block. Showing its indifference towards the implementation of the Central scheme,the state government withdrew an installment of Rs 20 lakh state’s share while a meager Rs 2.78 lakh was transferred to the district on March 19.

As the performance report of the Centrally-sponsored schemes in the district was tabled before the District Vigilance and Monitoring Committee (DVMC) at its meeting chaired by him at Municipal Bhawan in Sector 68 here Monday,Congress MP from Anandpur Sahib Ravneet Singh Bittoo asked the district administration to pull up its socks and ensure the benefit of Central schemes to the maximum beneficiaries.

Citing less wages as the main reason behind the dismal show,the district officials pointed out that as compared to Rs 180 per day wages in Chandigarh,the beneficiaries under MGNREGA in Mohali get only Rs 124 daily wages. Assuring to take up the matter with the Centre,MP asked the district administration to work out innovative schemes and select clusters of 15 villages each for developing each as a Model Village.

“Instead of spending Rs 4-5 lakh on scattered works,Rs 40-50 lakh shall be spent on the overall development of every village,” recommended Bittoo,while intending to visit the villages where works under Centrally-sponsored schemes were undertaken. As the MP stressed the need for developing Motemajra village pond as heritage place as it was an unique and eco-sensitive site which attracts lot of migratory birds with a potential of eco-green tourism,the Zila Parishad Deputy CEO reported that the drainage of this water body to excavate it in order to increase its depth would lead to unforeseen consequences.

“The village panchayat is not agreed to this project and sufficient number of workers under MGNREGA are also not available in the village,” submitted the official,while informing that local farmers were already using the water from this source for irrigation purposes.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Varun Roojam,who is DVMC member secretary,directed the field officials of concerned departments to speed up their efforts and work effectively to ensure implementation of the Centrally-sponsored schemes at the grassroots level.

“The maximum employment should be provided under MGNREGA,” instructed the DC,while asking the district officials to be accountable and responsive towards their duties.