Rajasthan to boost rural job scheme

Sachin Pilot lays emphasis on creating more man-days under MGNREGS

The labour component of budget for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) will be increased in Rajasthan, after Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot laid emphasis on creating more man-days under the flagship scheme to attract more workers to it and make the people in rural areas self-reliant.

Mr. Pilot directed the officials of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department here to give priority to creating man-days for the maximum number of people. About 2.50 lakh families had completed 100 days of work under the MGNREGS in 2017-18, according to the department.

In his first review meeting after taking charge, Mr. Pilot asked the Collectors and Chief Executive Officers of zila parishads to organise a special campaign from January 5 to 20 to publicise the MGNREGS and distribute job cards among the rural families which have not availed themselves of the scheme.

Special camps

Camps will be held during the fortnight to remove irregularities in the issuance of job cards and provide receipts to people seeking work.

Mr. Pilot said an action plan would be prepared for the districts where the number of persons joining the MGNREGS was relatively less.

“The payment of wages to the labourers employed under the scheme should not be delayed and the pending works should be completed by March 31,” Mr. Pilot said, adding that employment avenues should be found for the skilled labourers seeking work under the MGNREGS.

Mr. Pilot reviewed the Prime Minister’s rural housing scheme, schemes of the 14th Finance Commission, Swachh Bharat Mission, bio-fuel scheme, development of barren land, Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan and watershed development and land conservation schemes.