Shutdown looms over MGNREGS
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 05 2012:
With the numerous reports, though unsubstantiated surfacing, about mismanagement, mis-appropriation, monopoly and lack of transparency in the implementation of MGNREGS in the State through the media, the Central flagship programme is in danger of being suspended or take off from the State by the Centre.
A highly placed source confided to The Sangai Express that no formal complaint has been lodged with the Government regarding the reported mismanagement, fraudulent withdrawal and misappropriation of fund under MGNREGS, an employment oriented scheme which is mainly targeted for upliftment of rural areas and its people.
However, the Government of India is likely to consider terminating the scheme in the light of various news reports about the mismanagement in MGNREGS implementation in the State.
Hinting that petty negative reports of MGNREGS implementation in the State have the potential to snowball into a big issue which can even entangle elected representatives in legal quagmire, the source strongly felt that it is imperative for the State Government to take pre-emptive measures against such development before the Centre decides to abruptly terminate the scheme in the State.
It may be mentioned that Tamenglong district was included among the selected 200 districts across the country when the first phase of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was implemented for the first time in 2006 .
By April 2008, all the districts of the State were covered by the scheme.
The scheme has been renamed Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme since October 2010 .
Meanwhile, Material Component for the second instalment of MGNREGS for the financial year 2012-13 has been released while wages for the same period is still awaited.