Lok Sabha Question No. 3987 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-10
Subject: MGNREGS in Punjab
Ministry: RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RANJIT SINGH  BRAHMPURA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3987

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 .08.2017

## MGNREGS IN PUNJAB

## 3987. SHRI RANJIT SINGH BRAHMPURA:

W ill the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :

- (a) the allocation of funds under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for the State of Punjab during the last three years;
- (b) whetherthe Government proposes to change the guidelines for the works to be undertaken under this scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government also proposes to change the ratio of Labour Cost to Material Cost permissible under the scheme ; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to stop misappropriation of funds and to ensure creation of durable assets?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

## ( SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV )

- (a): Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Act  (MGNREGA) is  a demand driven programme hence no State/UT -wise allocation of fund is made. The Central funds  are  released  to  the  States/UTs  including  Punjab  on  the  basis  of  agreed  to  L Budgets and taking into consideration the performance and the pace of utilization of ava funds.Details of amount released to Punjab for implementation of MGNREGA during the last three financial years is given as under: -

(Rs. In lakh)

| Financial Year   |   Centralfund released |
|------------------|------------------------|
| 2014- 15         |                18948.2 |
| 2015- 16         |                24533.4 |
| 2016- 17         |                49073.5 |

(b): Schedule - I  of  the  MGNREGA  stipulates  the  works  to  be  taken  up  by  States/UTs under the scheme of the Act.   The Ministry issues guidelines, advisories and manua works under MGNREGA as and when required.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): The  status  of  implementation  of  MGNREGS  is  reviewed  on  a  regular  basis.  The Ministry has a comprehensive system of monitoring and review mechanism for MGNREGS. Central Employment Guarantee Council and St ate Guarantee Councils periodically monitor implementation of the programme. National Level Monitors, Common Review Missions and Officers  of  the  Ministry  visit  States  at  regular  interval  to  review  implementation programme. After the field visits, t he findings/shortcomings and recommendations are shared with the States for appropriate action at their end. Auditing Standards have been iss States have been advised to establish independent Social Audit Units, conduct Social Au per Audit of Scheme Rules, training of Village resource persons for conducting Social Au etc.

The steps taken by Government for ensuring creation of durable assets are given as unde -

- ( i ) Ministry  has  prepared  and  published  'SAMARTHYA'  technical  training manual onall the works permitted under the Act and imparted training to Sta Technical Resource Teams (STRTs). STRTs are imparting same training to District and Block Technical Resource Teams in their respective States do the line.
- ( ii ) For cross learning between St ates for better implementation of the programme and creation of durable assets, the Ministry is organizing Inter - State Exchange Programmes (ISEPs).
- ( iii ) Barefoot  Technicians  (BFTs)  as  grass  root  level  technical  functionaries trained.

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