The decision to use only 100 per cent labour-oriented works and to involve only village panchayats in the working of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) has resulted in the Supreme Court appreciating the State's implementation of the scheme, officials say. Referring to the comment made by the Supreme Court on Wednesday that other States should follow the model of Tamil Nadu and Meghalaya in implementing the Scheme, K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty, Rural Development secretary, said the State had taken some decisions in 2006 when it was first implemented in six districts.
“We decided to keep out materials-related projects to avoid contractors and we implemented strict regulations in the maintenance of the Nominal Muster Rolls (NMR) to avoid corruption. Payment under the rural schedule of rates also ensured sustained interest from the people,” he said. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the State Rural Employment Guarantee Council, Mr. Shetty said the Supreme Court's observation was justified even if it was not expected.
Works worth Rs.3,352.58 crore were completed from February 2006 up to March 31 this year, and the labour budget for the coming year was Rs.2,684.01 crore, Mr. Shetty said. In the last year, more than 96% of the budget was spent on wages, he said.
