Virudhunagar
Members of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Officers’ Association have protested “undue pressure” put on the officials and employees of the department in implementing various projects, including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme and Prime Minister’s Housing scheme.
Scores of members staged a demonstration here led by their State president M. Subramanian and district president N. Pugalenthi on Tuesday.
Mr. Subramanian said that despite the Government not coming forward to fill some 5,000 posts in various cadre in the Rural Development Department across the State, it was putting undue pressure in identifying the beneficiaries for the MGNREGA and housing scheme.
“For the housing scheme, the beneficiaries have to be identified from the list of eligible beneficiaries based on the socio-economic survey. But, the every survey has not been done properly and the employees are being targeted by the Government. We are seeking due time in identifying the beneficiary and start the work. But, undue pressure to expedite the work is put on the officials. Besides, there has been shortage of funds in implementation of the housing project. So is the case with MGNREGA scheme,” he said.
Stating that due to lack of funds, the works on maintaining irrigation tanks, ponds and supply channels have been stopped. “Hence, people were not coming forward to work under the scheme. But, officials are being unnecessarily harassed and forced to bring 100 to 150 workers,” Mr. Subramanian said.
The association was also opposed to assess the work implemented by the Rural Development Department by officials from other departments.
The Project Director (District Rural Development Agency), Pudukottai, has been repeatedly putting the employees to a lot of inconvenience by convening review meetings late in the nights and on holidays.
The association also protested against a move to outsource officials in the cadre of Assistant Director in implementing schemes under Mahilar Thittam.
The association district secretary, M.S. Parameswaran, was present.
