Inter-link tanks under NREGS

  • 09/11/2009

  • Deccan Herald (Bangalore)

Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily said that emphasis should be laid to inter-linking at least two tanks in every gram panchayat under NREGS scheme. Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily reviewing the development works at the district-level officials meet in Chikkaballapur on Monday. Bagepalli MLA N Sampangi is also seen. dh photoHe was speaking at the meeting of the district-level officials at Zilla Panchayat auditorium in Chikkaballapur on Monday. The inter-linking of the tanks would improve the conditions of the farmers in those regions in future days. Moily said that the existing NREGS Act provision of providing work to a single person in the family per day should be relaxed and 2 to 3 members of the family should be given employment. The employment which is provided for 100 days should be extended to 200 days, he added. Moily said that funds were not a problem under NREGS if the developmental works were carried on efficiently. Some banks are refusing to provide zero balance savings account to the beneficiaries of the NREGS, expressed Moily who said that he would take up the issue with RBI and directions would be sent to those banks refusing to provide the facility. Fourth position The Chikkaballapur district stands fourth in the implementation of the NREGS works in the State which is commendable, expressed Moily who urged the officials and elected representatives to strive to make it first in the State. In Chikkaballapur district, Bagepalli taluk stands first in the implementation of the NREGS. If all the MLAs implement the scheme in their respective taluks with dedication, development can be achieved, Moily added. Moily said that of the Rs 77 crore allotted to the district under NREGS, Rs 34 crore had been spent on the works. Job cards had been given to 1.62 lakh people and a bank account had been opened for them in the district, expressed Moily who said that awareness should be created among public so that more people can avail the benefit. He ordered the officials to gather information about number of schools in the district. They were also asked to gather information about number of schools which didn