Mixed results on NREG scheme: Raghuvansh

New Delhi, Apr 30 (UNI) Fielding apprehensions of members in the Lok Sabha over the success of the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) Scheme, Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Pratap Singh said there were mixed results on the scheme which had been planned to change the face of rural India.

Acknowledging some shortcomings and lacunae during initial assessment, he said they were being addressed and necessary steps being taken to remove them.

''We have sought the cooperation and suggestions from the IITs and IIMs to make it more people oriented. There have been teething problems but now things are on the right track.'' On the CAGs indictment of NREG, Mr Singh said, We ourselves had asked the CAG to inspect the areas where it was being implemented so that it could be streamlined better.

''I request the members to point out the shortcomings in their areas so that the scheme could meet the aspirations of the people and help meet its objectives.'' Stressing that money shortage would not come in the way of making it reach the sections it was targeted at, the minister said not just BPL families but those above them were also benefitting from the NREG.

In reply to a suggestion by Pramod Panda (CPI) that minimum wages limit be adhered to all over the country, the Minister said he would be too happy to implement it the very day all states reached a consensus on the issue.

On BJD's Bhartihari Mahtab's contention that just 3.2 per cent of people targeted had benefitted from the scheme, he said the scheme, designed to prevent distress migration from villages, had benefitted millions of families and would soon benefit nearly five crore families when fully implemented.

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