Assam to add over 18,700 jobs at panchayat level

Assam government today announced to create over 18,700 posts under Panchayat and Rural Development department as part of its aim to decentralise the working process.

Besides, the government has also decided to provide unemployment allowance under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act (MGNREGA) if a willing person is not given job within 15 days.

"We have been focussing on decentralisation of power and to do that we need to have an efficient manpower strength. The Cabinet in its meeting yesterday decided to create 18,711 posts in village and panchayat level," Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Rockybul Hussain told reporters here.

The process of recruitment will start as soon as the government notifies the decision, he added.

"Our panchayats have so far been affected by manpower crunch. The Chief Minister had formed a committee to examine the issue and it gave a suitable report to create new jobs," Hussain said, adding accordingly the Finance Department was approached for the same.

Talking about unemployment allowance, the Minister said the Cabinet has given its go ahead to introduce it in the state for the first time.

"If a person gives in writing that he is willing to work under MGNREGA and the authority fails to provide him with a job within 15 days, then we will pay one fourth of the daily wage to the person for the next 30 days," Hussain said.

If the government fail to give any work to the person even after the 30 days, then it will give half of the existing wage rate to him for the following 70 days, he added.

Currently, a person is paid a daily wage of Rs 152 in the state under the MGNREGA scheme.Hussain, however, said there is enough work available in the state and at present no one is sitting idle.