Expressing concern over implementation of the flagship MGNREGA, Congress President Sonia Gandhi asked the government to take stern action against those found indulging in malpractices.
“I want to share some of my concerns with you. There are reports that MGNREGA funds are being spent on other works. Reports of forged job cards, fake muster rolls, fake names of labourers have come to light,” said Mrs Gandhi, addressing a function organised to mark five years of the rural job plan on Wednesday. She said “complaints about jobs and goods which are there only on paper, buying of very low quality goods and late payment of wages have also been heard.”
“Despite appointment of district level officers, the present system of hearing and solving complaints of the people is not fully satisfactory. Due to lack of basic facilities at the work place, not as many women work as expected,” Mrs Gandhi said.
She also stressed the need for further strengthening social audit and suggested that help of women self-help groups and NGOs can be taken in this matter.
Hailing MGNREGA as a scheme which has given a new direction to empowering the rural poor, Mrs Gandhi said, “For the unemployed and semi-employed households, especially of the dalits and tribals communities, this is the lifeline and is being considered a basis of social security.”
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the government will create a biometric data base of all workers covered under MGNREGA and use it to authenticate work applications, worksite attendance and wage payments. Expressing concern over the implementation of MGNREGA in the Naxal-affected areas, the PM took note of reports of harassment and intimidation.