New Delhi, Sep 15 (Inditop.com) There were many complaints of corruption in the implementation of the central government’s flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), Rural Development Minister C.P. Joshi admitted Tuesday, while charging that some states ruled by parties other than the Congress were not utilising funds sanctioned for the purpose.
“I am aware of corruption complaints. We will evolve a system to plug loopholes in the implementation of the programme, while we are putting into place an arrangement by which eminent persons in various parts of the country can cite irregularities,” Joshi told reporters here.
Joshi, who was briefing the media on the progress made by his ministry in the last quarter, said: “I will shortly start visits to all the states to assess the implementation of the scheme first-hand.”
He also said he would convene a meeting with judicial officers to seek suggestions to improve the implementation of the scheme.
“As part of a mechanism for independent monitoring (of the job scheme), 100 eminent persons would be identified (across the country) to report on the progress of the scheme,” the minister said.
Asked about tardy implementation of the ambitious job scheme in states ruled by the opposition parties, Joshi said: “In some states, it is bad. Bihar has not utilised about Rs.1,300 crore sanctioned by the centre; and there are states where the 100-day job criterion has not been met.”
The scheme guarantees 100 days employment to one member of a family below the poverty line.
The minister reiterated that a district level ombudsman would be appointed to receive complaints from workers engaged in the job scheme and facilitate their disposal in accordance with the law.
“The ombudsmen, who will be well-known persons from civil society, will be appointed by the state governments,” he said.
Joshi also pointed out the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been amended to facilitate social audit of the scheme by civil society organisations. “This way the people can help devise strategies” for better implementation of the scheme, he felt.
