Leisan village reaps NREGS dividends
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 21 2010: In the interior hill areas of the State where people have been always at the receiving end due to deplorable communication system, National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), the flagship programme of the UPA Government ensuring 100 days of job in a year, has become a blessing in disguise, helping them to improve inter-village road (IVR) connectivity.

In Leisan village, which is located on the western side of Ukhrul district but bordering Senapati district, the villagers have been able to develop at least two IVRs under NREGS, thus facilitating connectivity upto Saikul and Changta respectively.

An IVR constructed under NREGS between Leisan and others

Talking to The Sangai Express, chief of Leisan village K Wungkhayai informed that the total length of the two IVRs that have been developed by the villagers is 6 kms.

Until development of these two IVRs, the only road that the villagers could use for going to other neighbouring villages was a mule track.

This mule track had been developed and expanded over the years to make it jeepable, the village chief informed, adding that, however, the roads were not motorable during rainy season.

But today, after the two IVRs have been developed by the job card holders of Thingphai Kuki and Leisan villages, even Shantiman can ply.

Said to have established in the year 1971, Leisan village has a population of 950 people today in 180 households.

There are in all 207 NREGS job card holders in the village.

The village chief further informed that under work programme of NREGS in 2008, the villagers of Leisan developed the around I km long IVR extended Thingphai Kuki village as well as the around 5 km long IVR extended upto Changta village.

The IVR extended upto Thingphai Kuki village has now facilitated connectivity with Saikul via Morokon, thus helping the people to reach Imphal without spending much time like earlier.

On the other hand, the development of the IVR connecting Leisan with Changta village has facilitated the movement of the villagers to Ukhrul via Apung, Tora, Maichon, L Phungthar, Kachai and Tolloi apart improving the communication system.

After development of the two IVRs in 2008, the job card holders of the two villagers currently being involved in gravelling the roads since 2009, Wungkhayai informed, adding that the wages for 50 days for the period 2009-2010 have also been paid to the job card holders.

The village chief disclosed that gravelling of the roads is being carried out with the fund from the material component of the scheme.

Over and above getting Rs 81.40 as per day wages, the job card holders have also reaped the benefit of enhanced production of vegetable and fruit in the village, he pointed out.