It is terrible, says Aiyar

New Delhi,June 1 (UNI) Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar today expressed shock at the reports of Muslims being allegedly discriminated against by Gujarat Government in the matter of job being given under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(NREGA).

"This is terrible if it is true," Mr Aiyar said when pointed out by a reporter on the sidelines of a seminar here quoting a report that Muslims were being denied job under the NREGS in Gujarat.

It may be recalled that taking cognigance of a media report, the Union Ministry of Rural Development has written to Gujarat Government to explain the reason for the alleged discrimination against Muslims.

The National Commission for Minorities has also asked the Chief Secretary of Gujarat Government to send a report to it immediately in this connection.

The NREGA, a flagship scheme of the UPA Government provides for 100 days guaranteed employment to one person in each rural household on demand within fifteen days at the minimum wages, failing which the person demanding the job will be given unemployment allowance.

The scheme is being implemented in 200 on the most backward districts of the country to begin with.

UNI YS PA ND1912