Govt plan to hire professionals for NREGS hits roadblock

In 2008,the Rural Development Department decided to hire the services of a MBA graduate,a computer operator,an accountant and an engineer for better management and monitoring of NREGS.

The department decided to hire private service providers to arrange manpower for all 820 blocks. While the MBAs were to be appointed Assistant Project Officers (APO) on a salary of Rs 20,000,others were to be paid Rs 8,000 each. The salaries were to be paid by the government through the service provider.

The first hurdle came when the department’s technical assistants filed a writ in the High Court at Allahabad in January 2009,objecting to the project on the ground that the operational guidelines and the NREG Act does not permit engagement of contractors.

The court stayed the appointments under the project and the next hearing is slated for July 6. The second hurdle came when some candidates reportedly alleged one of the selected service providers had been charging them money for providing employment.

Sources also say that another service provider,Rama Infotech of Lucknow,who has been given the work in seven districts of Kanpur,Gorakhpur,Chitrakoot,Jhansi,Faizabad,Mirzapur and Allahabad,does not fulfil norms. Ajay Gupta of Rama Infotech refused to comment on the issue. “I am too busy at the moment and I don’t want to talk about this,” he said.

The Rural Development Department is hoping that things may start moving after the next hearing in court.

Commissioner of Rural Development Manoj Kumar Singh said: “We have already constituted a two-member committee to probe the complaints against the service provider. Also,we are waiting for the Allahabad High Court judgment,which we hope will ask us to start off the process once again. This time,we may also ensure that when the service providers select the professionals,an official from the state government should also be present to ensure transparency.”