UNDP to help in implementation of MNREGA, other rural schemes

The Ministry of Rural Development and UNDP today signed a letter of collaboration to this effect for implementation during the twelfth five year plan.

The MOU was signed by Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and Lise Grande, UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator.

According to a UNDP release, during the next five years, the Ministry and UNDP will work to strengthen and institute effective implementation of the rural development flagship programmes, especially the MNREGA and NRLM.

"On the priority list is the Governance and Accelerated Livelihood Security (GOALS) programme for 10 left wing extremist affected districts-- Bastar, Kanker, Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh and Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri and Raigada in Odisha," it said.

In line with the Ministry's focus on strengthening and generating livelihoods, the GOALS project activities include scaling up Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) focused livelihoods, establishing innovative pilots to expand market opportunities and financial access for tribal entreprenuers, improving quality of produce to meet market standards etc.

Emphasis of the programme will be on making state governments more responsive in delivering benefits under MNREGA and NRLM and in ensuring communities are engaged in local governance, it said.

It will focus intensively on building the capacity of communities and other stakeholders through awareness generation and mobilizing youth for participatory planning, education and providing skills for jobs, the release added.