JOWAI: West Jaintia Hills is among the 18 districts which have received national award for effective implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
The award was presented by the Ministry of Rural Development on Tuesday at a function held at Vidhan Bhavan, New Delhi.
“We are really proud, it is a joyful moment for the district and the state as only 18 districts from across India were chosen for the National Award,” said Laskein Block Development Officer FB Basan.
“The award was given to the district in recognition of its performance and key initiatives which have been taken up DRDA through the block offices,” he added.
DM Wallang, the Projection Director (DRDA), dedicated the award to the DRDA and block team “for their tireless efforts and also to every VEC functionary and job card holder for their steadfast dedication in the implementation of the true spirit of MGNREGS”.
The collaboration and convergence of projects with line departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery, Veterinary, PHE, Forest, Social Welfare, Basin Development has also marked a turning point in the effective implementation of MGNREGS whereby all aspects of poverty reduction, livelihood improvement, infrastructural development, afforestation, sanitation and health are included in the rural development agenda.
Beside Wallang and Basan, Thadlaskein Block Officer B Blah and Amlarem BDO J U Kharpuri were present at the function. Union Minister for Rural Development Narendra Tomar was the chief guest.