(a) whether Gram Panchayats are the principal authorities for planning
and implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee
Scheme (MGNREGS);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether 50 per cent of funds under the scheme are spent directly
by the Gram Panchayats; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI PRADEEP JAIN `ADITYA`)
(a) & (b): Section 16(1) of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides that Gram Panchayats shall be responsible for
identification of projects in the Gram Panchayat area to be taken up under the
scheme as per the recommendations of the Gram Sabha and Ward Sabhas. Section
13(1) of MGNREGA provides that the Panchayats at district, intermediate and
village levels shall be the principal authorities for planning and implementation
of the schemes made under the Act. Panchayats have been given a pivotal role
in the planning and implementation of projects under MGNREGA.
(c): Yes, Sir.
(d): The Act [Section 16(5)] mandates that the Programme Officer shall allot
at least 50% of the works in terms of cost to be implemented through Gram Panchayats.
As reported by States/UTs, out of total expenditure of Rs.31,369.89 crore incurred
during 2010-11, expenditure of Rs.26,211.37 crore (84%) was incurred at Gram Panchayat
level and out of total expenditure of Rs.28,148.08 crore incurred during 2011-12
(as on 16.3.2012), expenditure of Rs.22,712.93 crore (81%) was incurred at Gram
Panchayat level.