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Journalism of Courage
As rescue and rehabilitation efforts continue in Uttarakhand,the Centre has decided to provide relaxations under its flagship job guarantee scheme in flood-affected districts of the state in order to counter the adverse impact of the floods on peoples livelihood.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act promises 100 days of employment each year to every rural family. In a circular dated July 11,the Rural Development Ministry which oversees the schemes implementation,has said that an additional financial assistance for upto 50 days of employment would be given to the state for notified flood-affected areas. While the Centre will bear the additional cost of employment,the increased cost of material will be shared by the Centre and state on a 75:25 cost sharing basis. Currently,the cost of employment over and above the stipulated 100 days is borne entirely by the relevant state government while the Centre bears the entire cost of employment upto 100 days. The cost of material is shared on a 75:25 basis between the Centre and state.
The ministry has said that removal of debris from roads or private lands can be carried out as permissible activity under the MGNREGA. The ministry has said that it will release further installments of funds for the scheme in the remaining part of the fiscal year even if the state does not meet the mandatory condition of utilising 60 per cent of the total available fund.
The state will be given relaxation for flood-affected districts with respect to fulfillment of other conditions like 100 per cent MIS data entry,appointment of ombudsman,and social audits.
