IMPORTANCE OF TIMELY RECEIPT OF FUNDS AND SOCIAL AUDIT TEAM’S ACTIVE ROLE EMPHASISED AT THE SEMINAR OF NREGS

Balarampur, 14 December 2009. Delay in receiving funds and lack of enthusiasm among the members of the social audit team have been identified by the speakers at a seminar on NREGS, as some of the major obstacles in implementing the scheme. The seminar was organised as part of the ongoing Bharat Nirman Public Information Campaign organized by the media units of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry at Balarampur Abhay Ashram Nai Talim Vidyapith under Kharagpur Block-2 in Paschim Medinipur. The Pradhan of the Changual Gram Panchayat Shri Shibaprasad Mallick said that though there is no dearth of money under the scheme, the Gram Panchayats often receive the money late sometimes due to late submission of requirement and sometimes due to various administrative formalities. This creates problem in executing the plans drawn up under NREGS. He stressed the importance of finishing the work under the scheme expeditiously. The NREGS can play a crucial role in overall development of villages and the country’s economy as a whole, he observed.

Underscoring the importance of the NREGS in mitigating the problem of seasonal unemployment Shri Sandip Kumar Das, District Coordinator, Social Welfare, Vidyasagar University said that for proper implementation of the scheme, transparency is as important as adequacy of funds. Awareness at the grass-root level can ensure serious implementation of the scheme, he observed. Shri Das cited the lack of enthusiasm among the members of the social audit team as one of the main reasons for delay in execution of the work under the scheme.

Shri Aloke Bhattacharya, Coordinator, SRD said that implementation of NREGS has to be ensured through coordinated gram panchayat planning. The Presidents of the Village Development Committees draw up the plan of action which is implemented through gram panchayats. He said that new areas of activity were being undertaken under the scheme. There is a proposal to set up two horticultural gardens under the scheme in the district. He urged all the people to take advantage of the toll-free help lines at the district and state level to get correct and more information regarding NREGS.