Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Admitting that MGNREGA funds were diverted in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister for Rural Development Jairam Ramesh today said that the Centre will table the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on MGNREGA, in the forthcoming Parliament session commencing from April 22.
“The CAG has done a nationwide report on MGNREGA — the state-wise report is also ready — it will be presented in the Parliament when it re-convenes on April 22,” Mr Ramesh told reporters on the sidelines of a conference of women self-help groups under ‘Umeed’ Central scheme at village Jaganu in Chenani tehsil of Udhampur district.
Responding to questions on allegations of misuse of MGNREGA funds in the State and on empowerment and security of Panchayat members, the Union Minister said, “I am sure that the report (of CAG) on Jammu and Kashmir will also be tabled once the national report is submitted.”
Admitting mis-utilisation and diversion of MGNREGA funds in the State, Mr Ramesh said “We have received complaints on diversion and non-utilisation of funds.”
“I wrote to the Chief Minister…We asked the State Government to take action in the matter under the current scheme of things,” he said.
Responding to a question on the Centre’s action with regard to allegations of diversion and mis-utilisation of MGNREGA funds, the Union Minister said, “We can only do audit…We can only do evaluation, but responsibility for taking action against those for diverting funds or using funds wrongly, is the State Government’s responsibility.”
Stating that responsibility for social audit also lies with the State Government, Mr Ramesh said “Only two States in India have taken social audit seriously…Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.”
With regard to a question about security and empowerment of Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir, he said “there are two issues connected with it…security concerns of Panchayat members and their honorarium.”
“I have talked to the Prime Minister with regard to grant of honorarium…It is under consideration,” the Union Minister further said.
Referring to the demand of empowerment of Panchayati Raj System in the State, Mr Ramesh added, “it is a political demand of our party.”
Earlier, while addressing the function, he said that to reduce poverty by enabling the poor households to access gainful self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities resulting in appreciable improvement in their livelihoods, the Government has planned to formulate 90 thousand Women Self Help Groups in Jammu and Kashmir during next five years under National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the local name UMEED.
The Union Minister said that 9 lakh rural families would be covered under the Mission and at least one woman of each household would be linked with the Self Help Groups in the State during next five years.
Minister of State, Rural Development, Information, Viqar Rasool, Member Parliament, Ch Lal Singh, Legislatures, Balwant Singh Mankotia and K.C. Bhagat, Commisioner Secretary Rural Development, Farooq Ahmed Peer, Joint Secretary, RDD GOI, Director NRLM, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Members of women SHGs and officers of various departments were present on the occasion.
“Banks act as oxygen for Self Help Groups and linking of such groups with the banks is the basic aim of the NRLM”, Minister said and added that efforts are being made to open up new bank branches in rural areas so that members of the SHGs do not face any difficulty in availing banking facility.
On the occasion, Mr. Ramesh called upon the members of the women SHGs to initiate a vigorous campaign for construction of toilets in their respective areas to maintain clean environment by way of safe disposal of wastes. For the purpose, the Department of Rural Development Department provides a financial assistance to the tune of Rs 10,000 instead of Rs. 4500.
Expressing grave concern over the declining sex ratio, the Union Minister called upon the members of the women SHGs to raise their voice against these social evils like growing trend of liquor consumption and violence against women.
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