TN urges Centre to clear workers' apprehensions on MGNREGS

Tamil Nadu government today asked the Centre to clear apprehensions among workers whether the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme would be restricted only to some backward blocks in future, which are presently being identified under Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise.
"There is an apprehension among the masses that in future, the implementation of MGNREGS would be restricted mostly to these 98 IPPE blocks alone. I request the government of India to put an end to this apprehension by assuring to provide adequate funds to all the needy panchayats in future also," Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development S P Velumani said.

He referred to the 98 backward blocks identified in the state, where Intensive Participatory Planning Exercise (IPPE) was conducted for preparation of Labour Budget for 2015-16.
Addressing the Regional Conference of State Rural Development Ministers, the minister said Tamil Nadu has expended Rs 2,686 crore -- the highest in the country towards the payment of wages to workers under the scheme and has created 21.34 crore person days.
He urged the Centre to enable fund releases to Tamil Nadu well in advance for the successful implementation of the scheme.
During 2011-12 to 2013-14, Tamil Nadu topped the country in creating the highest number of person days for a state by registering 37.29 crore person days. During 2013-14, the average employment provided was 59 days per household in Tamil Nadu, which exceeded the national average of 47 days, he said.

"Further it is requested that any policy changes regarding the allocation or funding to the states be decided only in consultation with the state governments," he said.
Union Minister for Rural Development Chaudhary Birender Singh, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, ministers and officials from Kerala, Karnataka, Telangana and Puducherry were also present during the meeting.