BJP calls for revamping NREGS

New Delhi, Jan 16: The BJP today called for revamping of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), emphasising the need to have more clear guidelines and comprehensive monitoring machinery in place. In a statement, the party pointed towards the first performance audit report of the NREGS by the Comptroller and Auditor General which had noted that the scheme had failed to meet its objective.

It said only 3 per cent of the eligible people benefitted from the scheme, while jobs were provided for only 18 days instead of 100 days as promised. As per the scheme, such beneficiaries should have received Rs 8,000 a year, compared to a meagre Rs 1500. "If the government seriously wants to achieve the objective of the scheme, then it must revamp the scheme," the party said.

UNI