MGNREGS fund
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 18 2018:
Grant-in-aid given by the Ministry of Rural Development under MGNREGS fortheyear2018-19 has been held up by the Finance Department.
An amount of Rs 115 crore was released by the Ministry of Rural Development as grant-in-aid on April 9 this year.
The same amount should be utilised in paying pending wages, material and administrative liabilities.
Liabilities thus cleared are reviewed by the Ministry from time to time.
Together with the State's matching share, the grant-in-aid should be transferred to the State Employment Guarantee Fund within three days of receiving it.
If the grant-in-aid is not transferred within three days, next instalment of funds may not be sanctioned.
If the fund is held up longer, the State Government should pay 12 per cent interest.' informed a source.
Works taken up by local bodies under MGNREGS are all approved by Gram Sabhas.
Works taken up by Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads are based on the work programmes prepared by Gram Sabhas.
Based on the work programmes prepared by Gram Sabhas, a proposal is sent to the Ministry of Rural Development for necessary fund.
Some Members oflmphalEastZillaParishadtoldTheSangai Express that the State F inance Department has been violating MGNREGS guidelines by holding up thf grant-in-aid amount ofRs 115 crore for over one month.
Even as Zilla Parishad Adhyakshas approached Finance Department to release the same amount, the concerned officials have been making all kinds of lame excuses, they added.