One-third beneficiary of NREGA be women: J

Jammu, June 1 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Tara Chand today emphasised that one-third beneficiaries of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) programme must be women and they would get priority during selection of candidates.

While inaugurating a training-cum-orientation camp 'Sau Din Kaam Kay' under NREGA along with Ex-Sarpanch, Panchs and implementing officials, the Speaker said the people of border belt should be educated about various schemes of central and state governments.

The Speaker reiterated administrations have been taking keen interest to provide basic facilities to the rural people particularly those residing in border region of the state.

''The government has been concentrating on drinking water, road connectivity, opening and upgradation of educational institutions, repair and renovation of lanes, drains and by-lanes on priority basis,'' he said.

He said the centre has launched NREGA in J&K by providing 100-day employment to every border household whose adult members were willing to do un-skilled manual works.

''Water conservation, drought-proofing, plantation, canals (micro and minor), irrigation facility to SC and ST, renovation of water bodies, land development, flood control and protection works, construction of roads, culverts and other work which may be notified by the center in consultation with the state, he added.

He said the NREGA would become operative in the notified districts before June 20. The applicants can apply for registration in their village Gram Panchayats. The panchayats have to register the name and issue job card after varifying the residences of the applicants.

The Speaker asked the authorities to organise such type of camps in other rural areas also for their speedy development.

Asking RDD officers to go to people and create awareness among the villagers about NREGA, he said the centre and state governments have already launched number of schemes for the rural population and the administration has been providing the benefits at their doorsteps.

UNI