Imphal, April 08: After the successful implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) which envisages to provide employment to unemployed people living in rural areas for atleast 100 days in a year in Tamenglong district for the first time in Manipur, the Centre has given its nod to spread the scheme to Chandel and Churachandpur districts of the State as well.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, an official source said along with preparing the job cards to be issued to the beneficiaries, the Centre has also started releasing the required fund for implementation of the scheme in the two hill districts.

When contacted in this connection, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Allauddin Khan informed that for launching the scheme in Chandel and Churachandpur districts, Central officials concerned would be arriving this month.

The exact date for launching the scheme, however, would be finalised after looking at the schedule of the Chief Minister's programmes, he said, adding that the tentative date for launching the scheme is likely to be announced in the last week of the current month.

To ensure the success of the scheme in Chandel and Churachandpur districts, it would be implemented and monitored just as in the case of Tamenglong district, the Minister assured.

Allaudin further disclosed that the Centre would be releasing Rs 1770 crores for development/improvement of roads in Manipur under the Prime Minister Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) during the 6th phase of the scheme which is now known as Bharat Nirman.

The 6th phase of the programme will extend upto 2009.According to the Minister, the roads which have been covered in the detailed project report of the programme for implementation during the current fiscal 2007-08 include upgradation of 13 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 18.50 crores in Bishnupur district, construction/repairing of 13 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 38 crores in Chandel district and construction/upgradation of 14 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 50.45 crores in Churachandpur district.

Moreover, the programme would also cover 18 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 29.84 crores in Imphal East district, 16 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 20.24 crores in Imphal West, 23 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 59.45 crores in Senapati district, 12 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 55.1 crores in Tamenglong district, 14 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 32.64 crores in Thoubal district and 6 roads at an estimated cost of Rs 46.75 crores in Ukhrul district.

The Centre has given the green signal for construction/repairing of all these roads, the Minister added.

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