Performance of Southern state good in MGNREGS: Singh

: Union Minister for Rural Development Chaudhary Birender Singh today said that the performance of southern states under MGNREGS was relatively good with high level of fund absorption, less leakages and better target.
Addressing a conference of southern states Ministers of Rural Development on various issues related to MGNREGS,he said performance of states under the region was 'relatively good'.
"Absorption of fund is very high. Overall, there is a feeling that leakages are less, targetting is better, maintenance of records robust and application of e-FMS and other technologies quite advanced', Singh said.
Lauding Kerala's effort in utilizing the Kudumbashree mission, the women self-help group to implement MGNREGS, Singh wanted other states to learn from Kerala's experience and adopting the model to suit their situation.

However, Singh said there are also certain areas of concern like delay in payment of wages and lack of social audit.
"Barring Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, social audit is very weak", he said, adding state like Kerala which are known for public action, had not started social audit at all as per rules.
Stating that priority should be given to imparting skills to MGNREGS workers, Singh said resources from livelihood and skill components of National Rural Livelihood Mission should be pooled and a specific action plan developed to be operationalised from 2015-16.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Ministers and officials from Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Puducherry were also present during the meet.