NREGA implementation successful in first phase

Shillong, June 9 (UNI) The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is being implemented successfully in 200 districts in the country in the first phase.

The Ministry of Rural Development will extend the Act to the remaining 400 districts in the country in a phased manner within the next 5 years beginning from 2007.

The ongoing programmes of SGRY and NFFWP will be resumed with the NREGA in identified districts.

The Act provides for enhancing the livelihood and security of rural people by guaranteeing 100 days of employment in a financial year to every rural household.

Unemployment allowance in cash will be paid by the State Government if employment cannot be given within 15 days of application for work.

The Gram Sabha/Panchayat Raj or equivalent institutions will have a key role in implementing the Act in which one third of the beneficiaries will be women. Besides, Grievance redressal mechanism and social audit are to be put in place.

The launch of the Act gives the rural households in the selected districts the right to register for work, get a job card and be entitled to demand work legally.

The NREGA is being implemented in the NE region in the following district of Upper Subansiri (Arunachal Pradesh), Tamenglong (Manipur), Lawngtlai, Saiha (Mizoram), Mon (Nagaland), North District (Sikkim), Dhalai (Tripura), South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills (Meghalaya) and Bangaigaon, Dhemaji, Goalpara, Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, N. Cachar Hills (Asom).

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