By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 17: While Meghalaya recorded a total of 14,086 works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in the financial year 2023-24, a recent audit has flagged serious concerns over record-keeping and transparency in the project execution.
The highest number of projects were undertaken in West Jaintia Hills (3,129), followed by West Garo Hills (2,220).
However, some districts, such as Eastern West Khasi Hills (361 works) and South West Khasi Hills (614 works) saw relatively lower participation, raising concerns over uneven implementation across the state.
The data indicates a fairly balanced gender distribution, with women accounting for 51% of MGNREGA workers and men making up 49%.
An audit of MGNREGA implementation across the state has highlighted discrepancies in record-keeping. While financial and employment records were generally maintained, critical documents such as work completion reports and measurement books were either incomplete or missing in several cases.
Moreover, the distribution of Village Employment Councils (VECs) under MGNREGA appears highly skewed.
West Garo Hills recorded the highest number of VECs at 623, while Eastern West Khasi Hills had a mere three. This stark contrast indicates a disparity in access to employment opportunities, suggesting either administrative lapses or a lack of awareness in certain districts.
While MGNREGA remains a crucial source of livelihood for thousands in Meghalaya, gaps in implementation, lack of proper monitoring, and unequal coverage across districts are key areas of concern.