Question : MGNREGS in Punjab

(a) the allocation of funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the State of Punjab during the last three years;

(b) whether the Government proposes to change the guidelines for the works to be undertaken under this scheme and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government also proposes to change the ratio of Labour Cost to Material Cost permissible under the scheme; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to stop misappropriation of funds and to ensure creation of durable assets?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a): Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) is a demand driven programme hence no State/UT-wise allocation of fund is made. The Central funds are released to the States/UTs including Punjab on the basis of agreed to Labour Budgets and taking into consideration the performance and the pace of utilization of available funds. Details of amount released to Punjab for implementation of MGNREGA during the last three financial years is given as under: -
(Rs. In lakh)

Financial Year Central fund released

2014-15 18948.18

2015-16 24533.37

2016-17 49073.46


(b): Schedule-I of the MGNREGA stipulates the works to be taken up by States/UTs under the scheme of the Act. The Ministry issues guidelines, advisories and manuals on works under MGNREGA as and when required.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): The status of implementation of MGNREGS is reviewed on a regular basis. The Ministry has a comprehensive system of monitoring and review mechanism for MGNREGS. Central Employment Guarantee Council and State Guarantee Councils periodically monitor implementation of the programme. National Level Monitors, Common Review Missions and Officers of the Ministry visit States at regular interval to review implementation of the programme. After the field visits, the findings/shortcomings and recommendations are shared with the States for appropriate action at their end. Auditing Standards have been issued and States have been advised to establish independent Social Audit Units, conduct Social Audit as per Audit of Scheme Rules, training of Village resource persons for conducting Social Audit etc.

The steps taken by Government for ensuring creation of durable assets are given as under: -

(i) Ministry has prepared and published ‘SAMARTHYA’ technical training manual on all the works permitted under the Act and imparted training to State Technical Resource Teams (STRTs). STRTs are imparting same training to District and Block Technical Resource Teams in their respective States down the line.

(ii) For cross learning between States for better implementation of the programme and creation of durable assets, the Ministry is organizing Inter-State Exchange Programmes (ISEPs).

(iii) Barefoot Technicians (BFTs) as grass root level technical functionaries are trained.

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