AP on the top in the implementation of the NREGS

Hyderabad|India|October'2009: The Chief Minister K Rosaiah while appreciating the work done so far by the Rural Development Department under NREGS asked the officials to dovetail as much funds as possible under the scheme. He said the Prime Minister during his recent visit assured to allot as much funds as needed under the Centrally sponsored schemes including NRERGS. The officials informed the Chief Minister that the State has already proposals to draw Rs. 2,500 crores more under the scheme for various works.

The Chief Minister said that Andhra Pradesh has a very good reputation and is on the top in the implementation of the NREGS. He said the State should continue to implement the scheme strictly following the letter and spirit of the NREGS. He said we should also step up the number of households provided 100 days of employment. The Chief Minister said even if we identify 100 poorest of the poor in every Gram Panchayat we will be able to cover 22 lakh households accessing 100 days of employment in this financial year and said this should be ensured by the end of March 2010. The Chief Minister also stressed the need for vigilance on the programme and social auditing of NREGS for every 6 months should be done.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that projects like Land Development, Drainage Line Treatment, Drains and Channels, Irrigation Facility, Sustainable Agriculture, Minor Irrigation Restoration, Public Institutions Development, Drinking Water Tanks, Road Connectivity, Afforestation, Flood Control, Forest Protection, Common Property Resources Land Development, Common Property Resources Drainage Line Treatment, Common Property Resources Afforestation and Horticulture & Plantation were implemented.

A 'Food Securing' scheme was launched through ITDA, Srisailam under which 80 per cent of Chenchus are getting benefit. Rubber Plantation in 31,000 acres in 6 years at an estimated cost of Rs.166 crore at Rampachodavaram and Coffee Plantation in one lakh acre in 9 years at a estimated cost of Rs.349 crore were taken up under the NREGS.

Forest Department was allotted Rs.300 crore. Similar convergence with Horticulture Department, ITDA and MI Department are in advanced stage of operationalisation.

The assets created include MI Tanks(including desiltation and related works)--13,947 Nos, Land Development--6.23 lakh acres; Earthen Bunding --12.4 lakh acres; Silt Application---5.8 lakh acres; Feeder Channel--- 1,00,789 Kms; Horticulture---3.30 lakh acres, Mini Percolation Tanks-- 75,360 Nos.; Farm Ponds, 65,739 Nos.; Pebble Bunding (Stone bunding) --3.16 lakh acres; Roads---4,893 Kms and Restoration and Deepening of wells---20,000 Nos.

For strengthening of the programme, special arrangements were made in 2009-10 for appointment of muster verification officer (18,491 MVOs are appointed), appointment of measurement/check measurement officers (3,684 measurement/check measurement officers appointed) and appointment of Special Officers (1,076 Special Officers) are also appointed.

The Chief Minister agreed to consider the proposal for a Vigilance Wing in the NREGS. The proposal was to constitute vigilance wing within CRD at the State and district level, vigilance wing will proactively identify and investigate cases of irregularities etc.