Biswajit instructs
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, May 06 2020:
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today instructed banks to issue passbooks to genuine beneficiaries of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) once the Gram Rojgar Sevaks completes the verification process of the beneficiaries.
The instruction was given during a co-ordination meeting with officials of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department and banks operating in the valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Jiribam.
During the meeting, several issues were raised including formulation of stringent preventive measures to avoid fraudulent withdrawals of daily wages.
Biswajit also said that once process for verification of card holders and issuance of passbooks are completed, officials should ensure that physical presence, job card, ATM card and bank passbook are made mandatory for withdrawal of the daily wages.
During the meeting, it was also discussed that banks should see to it that micro ATM booths are opened at every localities to ease hardship of the genuine card holders while withdrawing money during the ongoing lockdown.
Biswajit also advised the District Programme Coordinators (DPC) to ensure that all Government protocols and guidelines are followed at the worksites.
Workers should be provided face-masks, hand sanitizers and advised to maintain physical distance as instructed by Government and health authority, he said.
He further said that any misconduct or error found in the verification process during cross-checking would also invite stern action against the GRS concerned.
The coordination meeting was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary MH Khan, DPCs and RD&PR officials.