SHILLONG, Aug 10: The Hynniewtrep Youth Council has pointed out various anomalies in MGNREGS, Meghalaya Community Rural Development Services and Meghalaya Community Rural Engineering Services.
The HYC listed their observations in the form of suggestions and demands in a letter addressed to C&RD Minister, AT Mondol.
Speaking about MGNREGS, the HYC said it has received numerous complaints from village employment councils (VECs) in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills regions regarding delay in release of funds related to the material components while implementing projects under the scheme.
HYC said that in some cases VECs have not received funds for two years which, in turn, has affected the implementation of the schemes.
HYC suggested that the state government should come out with modalities or SOPs to ensure that funds for material components must be released within a period not exceeding six months. If the delay (Contd on P-4)
HYC points to anomalies in C&RD…
(Contd from P-1) exceeds six months, the department concerned should release the funds along with interests to the VECs.
Hailing the convergence of the MLA Scheme with MGNREGS, the HYC said, “We are of the opinion that MGNREGS is one of the most successful schemes in rural areas and census towns as it involves a bottom-up planning mechanism, does not allow interference by politicians, has a system of accountability and is fair when it comes to employment opportunities.”
Stating that most of the MLA Schemes have failed in creating durable community assets and development, the HYC said, “In order to bring meaningful development, especially in the rural areas, the government should come up with a policy/legislation that not less than 50% of the funds from the MLA Scheme should be implemented by way of convergence with MGNREGS.”
Referring to the Meghalaya Community Rural Development Services and Meghalaya Community Rural Engineering Services, the HYC reminded that the government had approved a proposal of the C&RD Department in 2018 for these services.
“However, we have not seen the government taking serious steps in framing and enacting the Rules,” they said.
“Hence we urge you to take immediate steps to legislate the above mentioned rules and if the government has already legislated the same, it is necessary that the same be implemented at the earliest,” HYC added.
