Rural Development works to come under ambit of CAG: Ramesh

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Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said expenditure on Rural Development works would soon come under the ambit of Comptroller and Auditor General.

"Very soon we are meeting with the CAG to make an 'understanding' to bring expenditure of all rural works across the country under CAG's (domain)," Ramesh told reporters here.

There would be a special Accountant General for every state which would audit the expenditure being incurred on rural development works.

"This will put pressure on us and the state governments as well (to implement the projects properly and transparently)," he said replying to alleged leakage of funds meant for MG-NREGA and rural road works.

Stating that his department's concern was to put in place a foolproof mechanism like audit and enforcing guidelines in the rural development works, Ramesh, however, said it was the state government which had to implement programmes through transparency, accountability and quality control.

The Centre has earmarked Rs one lakh crore for rural development works this fiscal under its flagship programmes.