PM calls for effective monitoring of NREGA

New Delhi, Oct 2 : Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Thursday called for evolving a mechanism for effective monitoring and implementation of rural employment guarantee programs and other social security programmes.

Addressing a conference on National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme in New Delhi today Dr. Singh said that the outcome of the evaluation should serve as feedback for improving programme design.

He asserted that the government has already started work on the evolution of such a mechanism for rigorous and independent evaluation of flagship schemes.

Dr. Singh said National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) is a path-breaking legislation which lifts the poor out of the trap of extreme poverty with the provision of guaranteed employment.

He said that Panchayati Raj institutions can play a major role in the successful implementation of this programme.

The Prime Minister also urged those States where Panchayati Raj institutions are not active to take steps to involve them in the employment guarantee schemes and other development programmes.

"During the last three years Central Government has released 36,000 crore rupees to the states for this programme," said Dr. Singh, and added, "States are being encouraged to make payments through banks and post offices. So far about three and a half crore accounts have been opened."

Chief Justice of India Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Union Law and Justice Minister H R Bhardwaj and Rural Development Minister Dr. Ragunvansh Prasad Singh were also present on the occasion.

ANI