NREGA to extend to 3 more Punjab districts

Chandigarh, Sep 11 (UNI) The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) scheme, which has already been successfully implemented in Hoshiarpur district, would now be extended to the districts of Jalandhar, Amritsar and Nawanshahar.

Announcing this in a meeting of state level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee here today Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura said the Central Government had assured that all the 20 districts of Punjab would be covered under the scheme by the year 2010.

The minister said the government had already formed a State Employment Rural Guarantee Council and had appointed a State Rural Employment Guarantee Commissioner. He asked the officers to highlight the benefits of centrally sponsored developmental schemes so that beneficiaries could avail the benefits.

In the meeting besides reviewing progress of development works undertaken by various departments/gram panchayats and for further successful implementation of the scheme, he asked the officers to ensure proper utilisation of funds.

UNI