SHILLONG: During the review of MGNREGS under Umling C&RD Block, Ri-Bhoi, through video conferencing carried out by John F Kharshiing, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board on Tuesday, it was learnt that there were problems in opening bank accounts due to mismatch in spellings of the names of people.
The EPIC card holders had wrong spellings on the job cards and for which, the banks were hesitating to open the accounts, and people shied away from re-doing the affidavits as it would be expensive for the rural poor.
Another concern was the fact that a number of villages, out of the 16 under Killing Gram Sevak Circle, was about 18 km away from the nearest post office or banks, and have poor road connectivity. They said that if they hire a sumo they have to pay Rs 2,000 for a one-way trip. However, the VEC members were very thankful to MGNREGS as it has enabled them to get water tanks, washing place, footpath inside the village and playgrounds, besides other developmental activities.
As per information provided by the BDO, Umling, till date about 42 percent (around 17,000 job card holders) had opened their accounts in the post office or the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank.
The VEC members also expressed their concern as to the frequent change of guidelines from the Ministry that delayed their work on the ground.
To a question about the distance travelled by the VEC representatives, the BDO informed that he along with his officers regularly visit the GS Circle and villages and conduct meetings at the circle level. All the VEC representatives informed the Co-Chairman that the present daily wage of Rs 169 under MGNREGS was not realistic as the current daily wage was much above this.
With regards to the phase II of MHIS enrolment under Umling C&RD Block, only 40 percent enrolled for this scheme. Out of the 64,000 households, around 24,000 were enrolled while more than half of the population was left out.
The co-chairman suggested that there should be wide awareness and effective coordination through the BDO, all stakeholders, such as schools, NGOs, Rangbah Shnong or Sordar Shnong.
The MHIS representative informed that MHIS Phase III will begin shortly and they will be addressing all these issues.
