Imphal: Manipur’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh chaired the meeting of the State Employment Guarantee Council (SEGC) under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for FY- 2020-21 at the Conference Hall of Classic Grande, Wednesday.
Addressing the meeting, Biswajit sought suggestions from the members of the council to ensure further success in the implementation of the scheme in the State. He also asked the DPCs and other members of the SEGC to highlight their grievances so that necessary actions could be taken up.
Further stating that the success of the scheme lies in the working together of all concerned, the Minister sought cooperation of all to work together.
Certain focus areas for implementation of the MGNREGA discussed during the meeting include e-FMS universalisation, GIS based Gram Panchayat planning, creation of natural resources/quality and durable assets, job card verification and updation, social audit among others.
Regarding labour estimate and preparing a Shelf of works for the financial year 2021-22, it was highlighted that proposals were obtained from 16 districts for 100 mandays for generating 589.03 lakh persondays. As of 2nd February, 2021, Manipur has achieved physical performance at the state average of 53 mandays for FY 2020-21. Further in Geographical Information System (GIS) based planning in the State, the Ministry of Rural Development had set a target of 280 Gram Panchayats, however, the State has already achieved the same in 282 Gram Panchayats which is 101.47 percent.
Further during the meeting it was also highlighted that Manipur has achieved 72.45 percent of Natural Resources Management (NRM) works for the current FY. Job-card verification under MGNREGA stands at the State average of 88.57 percent, although some districts have achieved more than 90 percent.
To ensure higher transparency and quality of assets created under MGNREGA, the council emphasized on creating sufficient manpower for strengthening the Manipur Social Audit Agency (MSAA).
The DPCs and other members also shared their opinions and suggestions for innovative ideas during the meeting.
The meeting was also attended by RD&PR Commissioner Nidhi Kesarwani, Planning Commissioner Devesh Deval, officials representing Finance and Labour departments, non-official members of SEGC, DPCs (MGNREGA), Manipur, Deputy Secretary RD&PR Lalrobul Fimate, officials of MGNREGA among others.
It may be mentioned that a major goal of the MGNREGA includes provision of social protection for the most vulnerable people living in the rural areas by providing employment opportunities.
