'Govt Committed To Control Corruption In NREGS'

JAIPUR: The payment of wages under National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) to labourers in 11 districts was delayed due to paucity of technical staff and shortage of manpower in post offices. The wages under muster roll should have been paid within 15 days. The labourers are entitled to a weekly payment of wages and are empowered to demand compensation for delay in receiving the wages.
On a joint question by Rohitash Kumar and Rajendra Singh Rathor, the minister for rural development, Bharat Singh, said the delay in payment of wages was caused because of inefficiency on the part of officials and action is being taken against the officials for the delay.
The minister said that the state government was committed to control corruption in NREGS and revenue officials have been empowered to inspect the work sites and documents and the progress of various projects under the programme.
He said a mobile unit would also visit the site on receiving complaints about corruption. A helpline is being set up where complaints can be lodged on telephone. The toll free helpline's number is 1077. A complaint box would also be installed at the collectorate and at various sub-divisional headquarters.
In reply to another question of BJP's Chotu Singh Bhati, Bharat Singh said the work for NREGS is finalised after its approval by the Gram Sabha and employment is provided on the basis of work requirement. He said employment is provided without any prejudice as it is the basic programme of rural development.
He admitted that there was a need for effective monitoring of progress of various works under NREGS. He urged the legislators for active participation at panchayat level and to point out any lapse. He said attending the panchayat level meetings is the right of every MLA and they should assert it.
Singh added that employment is provided to each family for 100 days in a year and the funds allotment is done depending on the number of employment that is to be provided. In another question by Raj Kumar Sharma, the revenue minister, Hema Ram Choudhary, informed the House that there are 32,969 villages with a population figure of 250 and above.
All the villages in the desert and tribal areas with a population of 250 would be connected by metalled roads by the year end. Other villages with a population betweem 250 and 499 would be connected by gravel roads.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, the cost of building roads is provided by the Centre and there is no provision for acquiring land. In all such areas where the road passes through the privately--owned land of farmers, the roads are built after reaching an understanding with the farmers.