Journalism of Courage
Despite Rural Development Minister Jairam Rameshs attempt to corner the Mayawati-led Uttar Pradesh government over the issue of alleged irregularities in the implementation of NREGS,the Ministry on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 1,200 crore for the state,taking the total disbursement to Rs 3,549 for the scheme in the current fiscal.
Ramesh,however,has written to state Rural Development Minister Daddu Prasad that the release of next installment for the scheme would depend on the states action on all the pending complaints of irregularities in the implementation of the scheme across the state.
The current release is being done on the state governments assurance that (a) concrete action will be taken against the persons behind the irregularities in the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in the state,and (b) action taken report on all the pending complaints would be furnished to the Rural Development Ministry by December 12, Ramesh reminded Daddu Prasad in his letter communicating the sanction on Tuesday.
I request you to direct your concerned officers to furnish action taken report on all pending complaints because the release of next installment of central assistance for the programme is contingent upon the fulifillment of state governments assurance on this count, Ramesh cautioned the state government. The Centre had released Rs 5,267 crore to UP for the implementation of NREGS during last fiscal.
