AP govt forms groups of NREGS workers

"We are forming NREGS workers into federations. This will empower rural households, facilitate effective worksite management and ensure greater transparency," state Rural Development Minister D Manikya Vara Prasad told reporters here today.

The formation of the groups, named 'Srama Sakti Sangham' (SSS), has begun in 35 revenue divisions of the state in the form of 220 SSS groups, he said.

The idea is to cover the total 1.2 crore NREGS workers in one year, Prasad said.

NREGS has been a success in AP with a total of Rs 23,260 crore incurred as expenditure since inception. Rs 16,962 crore has been paid as wage expenditure to 93 lakh households. 1.9 crore wage seekers accessed the scheme at least once.

In another significant step, the state government would make it mandatory to provide work in 15 days of applying for work, failing which unemployment dole will provided to the applicant.

The unemployment rules have been notified by the government and this will come into force from January 19, the minister said.

Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the country to implement and notify unemployment rules, he added.