* Assam P&RD Commissioner directs officials at Panchayat level
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam government has decided to keep ready at last 10 schemes at the grassroots level each year under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)-2005'. The move aims at ensuring that the targeted beneficiaries get work within the GPs (Gaon Panchayats) regularly.
In this regard, the Assam Commissionerate of Panchayat & Rural Development (P&RD) has already issued the directive to the CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) of Zilla Parishad, project directors of DRDA (District Rural Development Agency), and also the BDOs (Block Development Officers) to implement 10 schemes at the Gram Panchayat (GP)-level.
Further, to make the entire process transparent, the officials will have to ensure that the guaranteed work is given only to the 'Job Card' holders. This streamlines the process of payment within the stipulated time for the beneficiaries concerned.
Assam P&RD Commissioner Hemen Das has instructed the officials to take the necessary steps in this regard. In his letter to the officials, the Commissioner stated, "While taking part in the 'Question Hour' session in the ongoing session of the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 13, the Chief Minister announced that the Block Development Officers and other officers of P&RD Department would create awareness using different platforms as well as village-level campaigning like the ' Assam Job Card Mela' etc highlighting the benefits of MGNREGS.
"He also said that the officers should take extensive measures for motivating the 'Job Card' holders to demand work and encourage them to work even outside their respective GP areas if the work under MGNREGS could not be taken up in their GPs due to any issues."