The Centre will include a number of additional activities in the work schedule of its flagship programme MGNREGS, Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh said here on Saturday. "On Tuesday [May 8], I will announce a major expansion of the activities taken up by MGNREGS on the floor of the House," Mr. Ramesh told journalists.

He said inclusion of new activities would boost the performance of the scheme.

An expert committee, headed by Planning Commission member Mihir Shah, had submitted a report in February this year, suggesting a new set of operational guidelines for MGNREGS.

The committee has recommended inclusion of a number of activities under the scheme, which has been accepted by the Ministry.

The report of the committee, which is uploaded on the website of the Ministry, has suggested an expanded list of permissible works to be included under the scheme.

The new list suggested by the committee has 30 different categories of work related to agriculture, rural sanitation, drinking water, watersheds, fisheries and livestock.

"There has been a demand to create an even stronger synergy between MNREGS and agriculture, and allied rural livelihoods. Finally, there has been a demand for a more elaborate, specific and unambiguous list of permissible works to be provided," the report says.

Asked about the progress of implementation of the scheme in West Bengal, Mr. Ramesh said there had been significant improvement in the State's performance.

The State's expenditure for the scheme in March was the highest in the country, he said.

(Courtesy from The Hindu on 6-5-2012)

--
S.S.Mahadevaiah
General Secretary
All India Postal Extra Departmental Employees Union


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