CAG to audit schemes of Rural Development Ministry: Ramesh

The Congress leader,who was on the tour of Naxal affected areas of the state,conceded that there has been corruption in the MNREGA and Prime Minister’s rural road scheme.

He did not deny the possibility of some of the money ostensibly spent on the schemes falling in the hands of Naxals.

Ramesh stated that the Centre had decided to give additional funds to Chhattisgarh for development works.

On Naxalism,Ramesh said it cannot be tackled only through force but development of the affected areas and generation of employment opportunities for the youth was also necessary.

To boost development in such areas,junior engineers and development officers would be recruited at the panchayat level and local youth would be given priority in recruitment,he added.

The Union Minister said that from now onwards additional funds for development in Naxal areas would be disbursed blockwise. Earlier,the money was allocated if the whole district had been declared as Naxal-affected.