Centre to implement NREGP in 100 districts

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 9 (UNI) Union Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today announced the Centre would implement National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (NREGP) in 100 more districts by the end of this financial year.

Talking to nespersons here, Mr Singh who participated in the plenary session of social audit of implementation of Andhra Pradesh REGP in this district, said the Centre would implement the NREGP in 100 more districts in the second phase of the programme.

The employment guarantee scheme, which was launched on February 2, 2006, was implemented in 200 districts during the first phase.

Stating the Centre was also contemplating setting up of ATMs in the villages to fecilitate the beneficiaries withdraw money anytime, he said two ATMs will be installed in two panchayats under pilot project being launched at the earliest.

Observing that banks were charging high interest rates on the loans taken by self help groups (SHG), Mr Singh said the interest rates should be reduced to ensure that every SHG member be able to avail institutional credit which would help them in becoming small entrepreneurs.

The minister said the budget for rural development would be increased to Rs 31,000 crores next year as against Rs 24,000 crores last year.

UNI AP/JRK VV PA RAI1950