Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh has said that Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) will be revamped. He further said that the allocation under SGRY in the current year has been increased by Rs. 375 crores over the last year. Further increase in resources for Food for Work and Wage Employment Programmes is under active consideration of the Government and the Planning Commission. The Rural Development Minister reviewed the working and progress of Rs. 11000 crores Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana with senior officers of the Ministry.
The Minister informed that 60% of the cash allocation for 2004-05 has already been released and funds amounting to Rs. 2659 crores have been sent by telegraphic transfer to 562 districts in the country. Only 20 districts in the country are yet to get the first instalment. These districts fall in the States of Manipur, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and five UTs. 75% of annual allocation of foodgrains, about 37 MTs has also been released along with cash. Additional 7.4 lakh MTs of foodgrains have been released to calamity-affected States. The Minister disclosed that calamity-affected areas could be considered for advance release of second instalment if the necessary conditions after relaxation are fulfilled.
The Minister further disclosed that in the current year, 89463 works have been completed and 240147 works were in progress upto June this year. Reports from some States are still awaited. The Minister directed that amendments be carried out in the SGRY Guidelines to ensure greater community involvement and transparency at the village-level. Each Panchayat while sanctioning the work will be required to constitute a committee of local people including representatives of SCs/STs and women to monitor the quality of work while the work is in progress. The Minister also directed that officers at District, State and Central level will also regularly visit rural areas and check specified percentage of works. The Minister also directed that a study be carried out about the kind of assets given to the SC/ST beneficiaries out of the 22.5% funds reserved for such activities at the district and block-levels.
(Release ID :2991)