MGNREGA grant up, likely to boost development activities

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, July 14

The Punjab Government has enhanced the grant under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme by around 350 per cent in this financial year as compared to the corresponding period during last year.

As per the data available during the financial year 2017-18, the state government had spentRs 1.60 lakh under MNREGA scheme for the development of villages during months of April to June. However, during the financial year 2018-19, Punjab government has spent Rs 5.29 crore for the facelift of these villages,  which is a hike of around 350 per cent.

The district administration has used the funds under the scheme for land development, micro irrigation, drought proofing, renovation of ponds, rural connectivity and others. The projects have transformed villages like Khichipur, Kapoor pind, Nirangpur, Bullowal, Ghordawahi, Alipur, Diwali, Mujafarpur, Mussapur, Phull, Sichewal, Allowal, Mudha, Kohar Khurd, Kotla Surajmul, Salapur, Taggar, Haripur and Ismailpur.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said MGNREGA was playing a great role in transforming lives and destiny of people residing in rural areas. 

He said the main focus of the administration was development works, which were kicked off under the scheme to make sure that villagers get their benefits. 

The DC further said in the coming days, the work under the scheme would be given more fillip. He said the basic idea was to ensure that more and more people reap the benefits of the MGNREGA scheme, which ensures 100 days' job to people on one hand and propels the pace of comprehensive development of the villages on the other. 

What statistics say

• During the financial year 2017-18, the state government had spent Rs 1.60 lakh under MNREGA scheme for the development of villages, during the months of April to June. However, during the financial year 2018-19, Punjab government has spent Rs 5.29 crore for the facelift of these villages - which is a hike of around 350 per cent.
• This amount has been used for land development, micro irrigation, drought proofing, renovation of ponds, and rural connectivity.