Sir,
Refer news item ‘MNREGA payments will be paid directly to beneficiaries’ DE Aug 2.
It is a very important development and one expects that it will give a new lease of life to the much touted MNREGA which after initial euphora came under sharp criticism for mal-practices and corruption. The Act in its wake brought much socio-economic change in the rural areas.
It arrested migration of rural folks towards cities in search of jobs; raised their income and enabled them to have a square meal without struggling much. But, as is the case with most of the welfare schemes in India, it too got enbroiled in controversies and corruption.
There were widespread complaints about delay in the payment of wages. It has also been reported that Sarpanches made false entries in the muster rolls and did not pay the labourers for all the days they had worked although money was withdrawn in their name. Even where wages were paid, the disbursing officers made cut and bank employees demanded money for opening accounts or activiting old ones where no transactions had taken place for sometime.
Now, there is hope that by depositing money directly to the beneficiaries, these mal-practices will come to an end.
Yours etc….
Deepak Anand
Rehari Colony,, Jammu
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