The Centre is considering seeking the help of private institutions to impart training to BPL households to augment functional capability of workers in rural areas, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here on Tuesday.
Addressing the MNREGS Sammelan 2010, Dr. Singh said integration of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme with the National Rural Livelihood Mission was among the options before the government to not only create job opportunities but also provide youth with potential jobs in the basic infrastructure projects.
The focus had to be on better integration of the MNREGS with other grass roots-level programmes through convergence, he said and urged the States to learn from each other’s experience. He promised to improve the delivery mechanism further to ensure timely wage payments under the MNREGS.
Like the Prime Minister, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi too expressed her concern over the delay in wage payments. She pointed out that officials refused to acknowledge receipt of applications for jobs to avoid payment of unemployment allowances.
While stressing that the MNREGA was a manifestation of the Congress philosophy, she said it was a matter of satisfaction that all parties appreciated it eventually and their governments came forward to implement it.
