J'khand government to form directorate for NREGA

Ranchi, Dec 21 (UNI) Admitting that there were flaws in implementing the National Rural Employment Gurantee Act(NREGA), the Jharkhand government today announced to form a separate directorate for its implementation and said that required infrastructure would be established in 15 days.

Replying to a special debate in the Assembly on NREGA, Deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi said the present government agency was not capable of implementing the act and so a separate directorate would be formed under the rural development department.

Mr Marandi said the Commissioner would be the responsible officer and the concerned committee had aleady given its recommendation. He stated that the government also finished the formalities needed to form State Rural Employment Gurantee Council.

He said the present government machinery at the block level had meagre staff therefore a separate infrastructure would be formed for proper implementation of the act.

Meanwhile, the opposition staged a walkout during the government's reply.

Earlier, initiating the debate Vinod Kumar Singh(CPI-ML) said status of the act was misrable in comparison to its neighbouring state West Bengal. The government would have to grant a huge amount as unemployment allowance,he added.

Mr Pradip Balmuchu(Congress) said the migration of tribals could be checked by proper implementation of the act.

Others who participated in the debate were Girinath Singh, Annapurna Devi from RJD, Ravindra Nath Mahto from JMM, suspended BJP MLAs Vishnu Bhaiyya and Ravindra Rai.

UNI AM KK SY GC2010