Hooda directs for flying squads for MGNREGS works

While reviewing the operation of Rural Development and Panchayat departments here, he said these squads would be headed by Divisional Commissioners and conduct raids at regular intervals, an official release said.

This would ensure that works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) are effectively carried out in rural areas and funds were utilised properly.

Six lakh job cards have been issued under the scheme till now and workers under MGNREGA paid wages at the rate of Rs 191 per day, which was the highest in the country, it said.

The amount being paid to such workers was directly deposited into their bank accounts, it added.

Hooda said the funds and grant-in-aid under all rural development schemes were being transferred directly to the accounts of Gram Panchayats.

He also ordered that works estimated beyond Rs 10 lakh would be sanctioned by Sarpanch of the respective village, Block Development Officer and Sub Divisional Officer.

For their integrated development, 98 villages were approved to be developed as model villages out of which work in 94 villages had been completed.

The Chief Minister directed to complete the pavement of streets in the remaining villages in the state on priority basis.

It was also informed that 154 stadia have been completed in rural areas whereas the construction of 30 stadia was in progress.

133 stadia have been handed over to the Sports and Youth Affairs Department. These would be maintained under the Public Private Partnership mode.

2,294 posts of Panchayat Development Officers have already been sanctioned for providing dedicated manpower to the Gram Panchayats, the release added.