Day after EGS probe order, NAC talks of guidelines

‘‘Preparatory steps are being taken to ensure that there is national and local level social audit of the NREG programmes,’’ the member said.

The NAC agreed that there is a need to strengthen the panchayats with adequate technical, physical and administrative infrastructure to ensure efficiency. Also, there is a need to streamline the processes of financial flows to the local bodies coupled with regular auditing.

The NAC, focusing on the NREGP which is to be launched shortly in 200 districts across the country, discussed the need to finalise the Operational Guidelines to bring about the delivery-oriented implementation of the programme. It was agreed that the process of discussions with the Groups of Experts and NGOs and the Ministry of Rural Development would need to continue and financial mechanisms put in place in order that the programme is efficiently executed in different states and districts.

One of the member suggested that ‘‘the choice of projects will be important with a focus on inter-ministerial coordination and evaluation, coupled with social audit and frequent sample surveys. And the RTI will also ensure effective operation while plugging leakages like Maharashtra.’’

Another member said that the issue of ‘‘identity cards with gram sabha auditing and increased local level involvement of citizens and NGOs could ensure greater safeguard against leakages’’.

The NAC also expressed concern that public and private investment in poor states is not picking up. ‘‘And this calls for more effective Central intervention for the development of infrastructure in these states.’’

The NAC also discussed the issue of the Jarawa Tribe in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, including the protection of their cultural identity and natural habitat, health status and regulation of traffic. It was decided that the issues involved should be examined in a multi-disciplinary sub-group and also taken up with the Centre at an early date, a NAC spokesman said.