Schemes under MGNREGA: Assam presents a dismal picture

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: During the fiscal of 2019-2020 which ended on March 31, 2020, Assam could achieve only 28.99% work-completion rate under the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act-2005) – one of the flagship programmes of the Central government. This dismal picture is revealed in data of the Ministry of Rural Development.

Of the 1,74,206 number of works taken up across the State during the mentioned financial year, only 50,504 works were completed. In other words, 1,23,702 number of works remained incomplete in various districts of the State.

Kokrajhar district is the worst performer followed by Karbi Anglong. Kokrajhar completed only 11.09 % of the works. Of the 7,134 works taken up, the district completed only 719. On the other hand, Karbi Anglong completed 12.13% of the total works. The district completed only 516 of the 4,624 works taken up during that financial period.

The 14 other districts along with their poor performances are as follows: Tinsukia (13.88%); Sivasagar (14.97%); Morigaon (15.12%); Charaideo (16.39%); South Salmara-Mankachar (17.05%); Dibrugarh (17.27%); Baksa (17.86%); Golaghat (19.26%); Dima Hasao (19.38%); Cachar (21.59%); Lakhimpur (22.63%); Darrang (25.27%); Nagaon (27.37%); and Biswanath (28.84%).

The local gaon panchayats implement the various types of MGNREGA works. The MGNREGS Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing hundred days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. It also aims at assets generation through these works.