Campaign to boost participation

Kaam Maango Abhiyaan seeks to ensure that demand for jobs under the scheme is captured effectively

December 03, 2013 12:00 am | Updated 12:00 am IST - New Delhi:

The Ministry of Rural Development is planning to launch a campaign to generate awareness of the flagship Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in select districts and urge people to register under it. The “Kaam Maango Abhiyaan” campaign is intended to ensure that the demand for MGNREGS jobs is captured effectively. The focus of the campaign, which will increase participation in the programme and boost awareness of its entitlements, will be on six districts — Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh), Nashik (Maharashtra), Raichur (Karnataka), Katihar (Bihar), West Singhbum (Jharkhand) and Sundergarh (Odisha). A nationwide campaign will be launched on February 2, 2014, MGNREGA Day.

Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has urged Chief Ministers to take up the mantle of extending the campaign’s message.

“I would be grateful for your personal leadership of the campaign which will motivate all the stakeholders in realising the benefits [offered] by the Act. This will also coordinate the efforts of all sections of society including civil society organisations, district administrations, State administrations, students, media, academics and — most importantly — [MG]NREGA workers,” stated Mr. Ramesh’s letter to all concerned Chief Ministers.

Additionally, an attempt will be made to reach out to every ward/habitation and give people an opportunity to register their demand for MGNREGS work. It will involve training of officials, mass awareness drives via padyatra s and regularising a monthly “ Rozgar Diwas in every panchayat as an opportunity for people to register their demand and grievances.

In anticipation of the demand expected to be drummed up by the campaign, requisite capacity-building will be undertaken by the administration.

“This is a significant step forward, especially since the campaign would be a collaborative effort with district, State and Central government, MGNREGA workers and civil society organisations,” Nikhil Dey, social activist from the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, told The Hindu .

Mr. Dey said the abhiyan had been well-received by the States, including Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.