K'taka asks Centre to amend NREGS Act

Belgaum, Sep 28 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has appealed to the Centre to amend the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, facilitating extension of the scheme being implemented in six districts of the State, Revenue Minister Jagadish Shettar informed the State Assembly here today.

Reacting to JD(U) member H Anjaneya's appeal to extend the scheme to the one lakh people who had worked for 100 days under the scheme in Chitradurga district, but languishing without any work now, he said that as the rules allowed for employment under the scheme only for 100 days per year, the State had sought the Centre to bring in amendment to the Act. However, the Centre was yet to take any decision on the State's request, he added.

Mr Anjaneya said the scheme was being implemented effectively in Chitradurga district and the scheme should be extended beyond 100 days, taking into consideration the severe drought conditions prevailing in all the talukas of Chitradurga district. He aslo appealed to the State Government to ensure payment of pending wages to over one lakh beneficiaries of the scheme.

Stating that Chitradurga district, during the last 110 years had witnessed 30 years of severe drought and 65 years of semi-dry conditions, he urged the State Government to take immediate steps to implement the long pending Upper Bhadra project, which would ensure a permanent solution to the water requirement of the people of four districts in the Central region of the State.

UNI MV GD AKJ KP2032