Orissa admits lacunae in NREGA implementation

Admitting irregularities in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (NREGA) in the state, Orissa government on Tuesday said it was targetting expenditure of Rs 3,000 crore next year by making certain changes in its modalities.

Admitting irregularities in implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 (NREGA) in the state, Orissa government on Tuesday said it was targetting expenditure of Rs 3,000 crore next year by making certain changes in its modalities.

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"We are taking several steps to check irregularities and create awareness on the rural employment act", Panchayati Raj minister Prafulla Samal said in reply to an adjournment motion in the assembly.

Stating that funds were never a constraint in NREGA, Samal admitted that the state had utilised only Rs 2714.32 crore against sanction of Rs 3006.20 crore under the NREGA.

About Rs 275 crore could not be spent under the NREGA, he said adding the system associated with the implemnetation of NREGA for rural poor would be activated.

The minister said everyone could not be given job card as there was little interest among rural people owing to delay in payment and less amount of wages.

The state government had taken steps to make payment though State Bank of India (SBI) instead of post offices or cash payment. "This is to maintain transparency in the NREGA works", Samal said.