Curbs on fund leaks needed for NREGS to succeed: Panel

In order to ensure success of the largest social welfare scheme of the UPA government,National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme...

In order to ensure success of the largest social welfare scheme of the UPA government,National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme NREGS,measures should be taken to address grievances and fund leakages as reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General a government panel has noted.

According to the recommendations of Rajya Sabha MP Arjun Sengupta-led National Commission on Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector,NREGS can be strengthened by amending the NREG Act. In its study of the NREGA,the commission identified the necessity to set up mechanisms for redressing grievances at the national level.

A full-time ombudsman may be institutionalised,along with the setting up of district-level resolution cells to arbitrate and monitor the complaints received,and setting up toll-free helplines. The central and state governments should frame rules for activation of penalty provision under the Act,the commission added. In fact,the concept of Lok Adalats on NREGA,which are being experimented with in some location,should be expanded,it said. Greater efficiency can be brought under the scheme if it is dovetailed with existing social development programmes of various ministries.

The panel advocated a shift from the current model where the employment is capped at a single worker per household to an individual. Employment guarantee should be made applicable for each individual rather than per household, NCEUS recommended.

Commenting on the employment strategy under NREGS,the panel said that the list of assets could be extended to include other developmental works that create assets which contribute to the long development of the village. Recommending expansion of activities under the scheme,the panel said,NREGA activities should be taken up in class B and C municipalities as that would enhance employment opportunities in semi-urban localities.

The control over community assets and their maintenance responsibility should be vested with workers. In areas where scheduled caste and tribe areas form 50 per cent of the working population,the cap of 100 days of employment should be removed,it said.